Episode 89. Wellness Washing: Products that pretend  to be good for us

That "healthy" product you're buying might be anything but. Catherine and Julie pull back the curtain on the deceptive world of wellness washing – products claiming health benefits while potentially causing harm.

The conversation ignites when Julie shares her frustration over a Dettol laundry detergent advertisement targeting parents with fear-based marketing about germs on children's clothes. Despite everything we now understand about the importance of a healthy microbiome, these chemical-laden products promise to "kill all known germs" – introducing harmful substances to our skin while disrupting beneficial bacteria we actually need.

From cleaning products, the hosts dive into food marketing manipulation. "Protein" yoghurts command premium prices while often containing less actual protein than regular Greek yoghurt and hiding added sugars. Breakfast cereals like Special K position themselves as healthy foods, despite having minimal nutritional value. Plant-based alternatives and gluten-free products frequently compensate for missing ingredients with chemical additives, poor-quality oils, and excessive sugar.

Most concerning is the impact of these marketing tactics on children. The UK has reached a troubling milestone with more overweight children than healthy-weight children. Supermarkets strategically place unhealthy items at eye level, use bright packaging, and create "child-friendly" versions of junk food. Products like flavoured waters, which parents believe are healthier alternatives to soda, often contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and colouring.

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For more information about Julie Clark Nutrition, click HERE
For more information about Catherine Chapman, click HERE

We look forward to you joining us on the next episode.