Laboratoires Garnier has insisted that its hair colourants are safe following an inquest into the death of a woman in Britain.
Birmingham Coroner's Court recorded a verdict of death by misadventure on Tuesday in the case of Ms Nariender Devi (39). The court had heard that Ms Devi, a mild asthmatic, suffered anaphylactic shock after applying Laboratoires Garnier product Movida to her hair. She had switched products after suffering irritation from her previous dye, the inquest was told.
Movida products are available in Ireland from Tesco, Dunnes Stores and independent pharmacies. More than 84 million units of Movida have been sold worldwide since its launch in 1994.
Ms Emma Walmsley, general manager of Laboratoires Garnier, said: "We have produced millions of packs of hair colourant over four decades and are not aware of any other person experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.
"We would like to emphasise that our hair colourants are safe, and, as repeatedly stressed by the coroner, the chance of this happening was infinitesimally small . . . To avoid the slightest chance of an allergic reaction, we have for many years recommended that consumers follow the safety instructions and carry out a skin sensitivity test 48 hours before applying a hair colourant."
Laboratoires Garnier advises its customers not to use its products if they have already experienced a reaction to a hair colourant and to consult a doctor about individual sensitivities.