Four-year-old Luca de Groot was helping her mom with chores when she bit into a laundry pod, causing it to burst in her face. She immediately screamed and rubbed the chemicals into both eyes. “It’s not easy seeing your daughter in so much pain with nothing you can do,” said her mother, Jodi Lowe.
Lowe rushed Luca into the shower and checked the packaging, which only advised to “seek medical advice.” As Luca’s condition worsened, she was taken to the hospital and underwent three surgeries, including an amniotic membrane transplant. “There was a point where they thought she’d need a fourth surgery,” Lowe said.
Luca was hospitalized for 16 days. Her eyes were blistered and swollen, and she’s still suffering from visual impairment in one eye. “You wouldn’t think direct contact could cause such burns,” her mom added.
Lowe is demanding stronger warnings on packaging. Unilever, maker of the pods, responded: “Consumer safety is of paramount importance,” and promised to review their safety labels.
