Texas AG Paxton investigates Fruit of the Loom and Hanes over chemicals in children's underwear
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued civil investigative demands to Fruit of the Loom and Hanes over possible toxic chemicals in children's underwear. He did not accuse either company of wrongdoing; he is also trailing in his US Senate race.
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The story, neutrally told
Left · 2Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation on Tuesday 6 October into whether Fruit of the Loom and Hanes use toxic chemicals in making children's underwear. CBC NewsLC “Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation on Tuesday into whether Fruit of the Loom and Hanes use toxic chemicals in producing children's underwear.” Read at CBC News ↗ The IndependentLC “Paxton, a Trump-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate in the midterms, announced the probe Tuesday, weeks before Election Day.” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 2Paxton said he sent civil investigative demands to the two companies, citing the potential effects of the chemicals on children's health; he did not accuse either of wrongdoing. CBC NewsLC “He did not accuse either company of wrongdoing.” Read at CBC News ↗ The IndependentLC “civil investigative demands have been issued to Fruit of the Loom and Hanes” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1Fruit of the Loom is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, and Hanes is owned by Canadian company Gildan Activewear, which merged with HanesBrands last year in a $2.2-billion US deal. CBC NewsLC “Gildan merged with Massachusetts-based HanesBrands Inc. last year in a $2.2-billion US deal.” Read at CBC News ↗
Left · 2Paxton said fast fashion has pushed manufacturers toward cheaper synthetic materials such as polyester, rayon and spandex, which can involve plastic-derived materials or chemical-intensive processes. The IndependentLC “Popular synthetic materials such as polyester, rayon, and spandex can involve plastic-derived materials or chemical-intensive manufacturing processes.” Read at The Independent ↗ CBC NewsLC “Paxton said clothing manufacturers have turned increasingly to synthetic materials such as polyester, rayon and spandex to meet consumer demand for lower-priced products.” Read at CBC News ↗ Left · 1He cited research that synthetic fabrics can shed microplastics, and that chemicals including bisphenols, fluorine, parabens, phthalates and PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been associated with cancer, hormone disruption, infertility and other health concerns. CBC NewsLC “chemicals including bisphenols, fluorine, parabens, phthalates and so-called "forever chemicals" used in textile manufacturing have been associated with cancer, hormone disruption, infertility and other health concerns.” Read at CBC News ↗ Left · 2In a news release Paxton said: "We must protect our children who cannot yet protect themselves." CBC NewsLC “"We must protect our children who cannot yet protect themselves," Paxton said in a news release.” Read at CBC News ↗ The IndependentLC ““If any corporation is harming Texas consumers, I will go after them.”” Read at The Independent ↗
Left · 2Montreal-based Gildan said it will co-operate and maintains strict manufacturing and sourcing standards; Fruit of the Loom and Berkshire Hathaway had not responded to requests for comment when the articles were published. CBC NewsLC “Montreal-based Gildan said it will co-operate with the investigation, and maintains strict manufacturing and sourcing standards” Read at CBC News ↗ The IndependentLC “The Independent has contacted Fruit of the Loom and its parent company, Berkshire Hathaway, for comment.” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1Paxton announced a similar probe in April into whether Lululemon activewear contained "forever chemicals". CBC NewsLC “The attorney general announced a similar probe in April into whether Vancouver-based Lululemon Athletica activewear contained "forever chemicals,"” Read at CBC News ↗ Left · 2Paxton, a Republican, is running for US Senate against Democrat James Talarico in the 3 November midterms and trails in most polls. CBC NewsLC “Paxton, a Republican, is running for a U.S. Senate seat against Democrat James Talarico and trailing in most polls.” Read at CBC News ↗ The IndependentLC “The attorney general is running behind Talarico in most recent polls.” Read at The Independent ↗
Left · 1The Independent added context on the campaign: Trump endorsed Paxton and campaigned with him in San Antonio on Wednesday, though the two have at times criticised each other, including a leaked September recording in which Paxton said he did not feel "in control" of his campaign. The IndependentLC “Paxton complained that he did not feel “in control” of his campaign”“While Trump has endorsed Paxton and campaigned with him Wednesday in San Antonio, the men have at times appeared critical of each other.” Read at The Independent ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- CBC (running Reuters copy) reports the probe in a straight news style, stressing that no wrongdoing is alleged; The Independent frames it against Paxton's struggling Senate campaign.
- Emphasis
- CBC: company ownership, Gildan's response, health claims, Lululemon precedent. Independent: election timing, Trump relationship, leaked recordings.
- Leaves out or plays down
- CBC gives little campaign context beyond a closing line; The Independent does not state that Paxton accused no one of wrongdoing.
- Charged language
- “Toxic underwear?”“toxic chemicals”
- For example
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“He did not accuse either company of wrongdoing.” — CBC News
“Paxton, a Trump-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate in the midterms, announced the probe Tuesday, weeks before Election Day.” — The Independent
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Paxton announced the investigation on Tuesday 6 October.
- Civil investigative demands went to Fruit of the Loom and Hanes.
- Gildan, Hanes's owner, said it will co-operate.
- Paxton is a Republican trailing Democrat James Talarico in Senate polls.
Ken Paxton person
Says the probe protects children from toxic chemicals in everyday necessities and that he will pursue any corporation harming Texas consumers.
““If any corporation is harming Texas consumers, I will go after them.”” — The Independent
Hanes organisation
Its owner Gildan says it will co-operate and maintains strict manufacturing and sourcing standards.
“We remain committed to providing safe, high-quality products for consumers,” — CBC News
Fruit of the Loom organisation
No response from Fruit of the Loom or Berkshire Hathaway was reported.
“Fruit of the Loom and Berkshire did not immediately respond to requests from Reuters for comment.” — CBC News
Left2 articles
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Fruit of the Loom, Hanes investigated over potential toxic chemicals in children's underwear
Neutral Reuters-style report of the investigation, noting no accusation of wrongdoing and including Gildan's response.
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Toxic underwear? Ken Paxton launches investigation into Hanes and Fruit of the Loom
Mixed Presents the probe with a question-mark headline and places it in the context of Paxton's trailing Senate campaign and strained relationship with Trump.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 6 Oct 22:58 First CBC NewsLC Fruit of the Loom, Hanes investigated over potential toxic chemicals in children's underwear
- 8 Oct 16:42 +41h 44m The IndependentLC Toxic underwear? Ken Paxton launches investigation into Hanes and Fruit of the Loom
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.