Laundry Pods Are Dangerous, Consumer Reports Says

Consumer Reports has removed laundry pods from its list of recommended detergents because of growing concerns over the pods’ danger to children.

More than 6,000 families with children ages five and younger have already had to contact poison-control centers this year after their kids ingested the pods or got the detergent on their skin, according to Consumer Reports. The total number of incidents for 2014 was 11,714.

The single-load laundry detergent pods have become popular for their convenience since they hit the market in 2012. Consumer Reports‘ warning only applies to the pods containing liquid; the pods with powder inside cause fewer incidents.

“We recognize the role parents and caregivers play in keeping children safe, but we believe the unique risks posed by liquid laundry pods warrant this action,” Consumer Reports wrote of its decision to remove the pods, “at least until the adoption of tougher safety measures leads to a meaningful drop in injuries.”