Hob cleaner - product warning

[JenniSh]

I purchased 'Oven mate' glass and ceramic hob cleaner (they do a range of cooker cleaners) it is a LAKELAND product. I poured a small amount on my hob and almost immediately had breathing problems and ended up on the floor my throat swelled and was really gratingly sore for days afterwards. I went to my pharmasist who immediately referred me to my doctor. The doctor confirmed it was an allergic reaction to something in the product. I wrote to Lakeland who apologised and offered a refund (with receipt) and an apology. I have been really ill and scared for a week I asked them for assurance they would check this out and told them I was concerned for other pensioners or for anyone with chest or breathing issues like asthma. I think this product needs a warning on the container. If you have anyone in your household with chest issues please, ideally, do not use this - but if you have to - use with caution when they are not around and leave windows open. Better safe than sorry. I do not think they are acting responsibly by not informing the public that this is potentially very dangerous.

Pretty sure these products do have warnings all over them...

You said it was an allergic reaction.
There are 3 options of what happens
1-someone never had a reaction before so they don't know they are allergic to x which is in a product (and on a label). No one's fault. Things happen.
2-someone has an allergy and couldn't be arsed to check labels. Customer's fault
3-someone has an allergy and checked label, but x wasn't on it because of fuck up. Manufacturer's fault

Yours sound like no 1. Glad you are OK, but calm down.

They have warnings all over them. They have to use approved symbols and include specific content under CLP regulations.

But of course the customer has to read the packaging too.

It does have a warning though? I use the stuff.

@JenniSh "The doctor confirmed it was an allergic reaction to something in the product."

An allergic reaction can happen to anyone, at any time. Even products that you've consumed for years, you can suddenly become allergic to.

How are companies supposed to know what you are allergic to?

yes I was number 1

An allergic reaction can happen to anyone, at any time. Even products that you've consumed for years, you can suddenly become allergic to.

This!

I'm also fairly sure such products tell you to use in a well ventilated area (ie open the windows!)

Manufacturers cannot be expected to predict all eventualities.

You were unlucky that is all.

Hope you're feeling better soon but you are irresponsibly to scaremonger like this. Hope you're not doing same on other sm.

An allergic reaction can happen to anyone, but thank you for posting as I have to be very careful what chemicals I get near to, I just have a lot of breathing problems

It's caustic/irritant... Didn't you know this before using it? 😳 It's pretty much all over the bottles by law fgs.

Hi there is some bumph on bottle which says it contains methoxy propanel, citric acid,ot/l sodium, docusate breeze and bromo nitopropane - and I have no idea what any of those things are. It says it may cause eye irritation but MOST SERIOUS OF ALL IT CANNOT BE DISPOSED OF IN YOUR DUSTBIN you have to dispose of it in a hazardous or special waste collection point. I did not read that bit I admit. I f I had done then I would not have purchased it. The warning about not being able to put it in my dustbins would immediately have sent alarm bells ringing. But how many people really read all of that stuff on the back before buying a product? I am not trying to justify my not reading it but I posted this as an alert or warning to others especially those who have a person in the household who has asthma or other chest issues.

Hi again, it does not say to use in ventilated area or to open windows. I admit I was irresponsible to not read all the small print (see above) which is on the back of the container. I do not need to be told off! I have learnt my lesson. I feel duty bound to warn others that this might happen to them or their loved ones (God forbid) butt perhaps anyone reading these will in future read labels - I will.

Ugh sounds like awful stuff! The fact it can't be disposed of in your bin does speak volumes and I bet plenty of people don't bother to take it to the proper waste collection point.

The allergic reaction does sound like something they would have struggled to prevent though.

If you Google Oven Mate Hob Cleaner, it's available from loads of different outlets, so I don't think you're being fair to say Lakeland need to do something about it.

Amazon, Ebay, Dunelm, Dobbies, Homecare Essentials, Lakeland, TFMSuperstore, Rustins and Howtorepair are on the first page of hits for me. Also there seems to be a variety of products and different shaped and sized bottles of hob cleaner available under the Oven Mate brand.

I'm sorry you had such a serious reaction OP, perhaps contacting the manufacturer direct would be better.

The Oven Mate hob cleaners' directions for use that I've looked at on different sites capitalise the sentence about only using on a COLD hob which, by omission, suggests the possibility of something adverse if you don't.

Oh my god. You had an unexpected allergic reactions. This is like freaking out after having first peanut reaction and telling everyone to be careful of Snickers.

Again. I am glad you are ok, but calm down. It is NOT manufacturer's fault you had an allergic reaction when you didn't know you are allergic yo their ingredients

I'm on some meds that can react fatally with decongestants. No warnings on the decongestants. If they can't put a warning on something like that they probably won't on cleaners. Beyond the usual use in a well ventilated area.