CHOICE has released a guide based on tests of various pillows to determine whether manufacturers’ claims about their benefits and features can be trusted.
The CHOICE expert lab testing included pillows with hypoallergenic and antimicrobial features and recommended that consumers look for pillows with the National Asthma Council's Sensitive Choice approval:
"If you’re wondering whether a product making these claims can be trusted, the National Asthma Council gives Sensitive Choice approval to pillows they have found likely to help people with asthma and allergies, while keeping away mould and mites.” CHOICE
“We have a product advisory panel made up of different medical experts and specialists,” explains NACA Sensitive Choice business development manager Adele Taylor.
“They have to see clear evidence that a product offers a potential benefit to someone with asthma and allergies before they’ll approve the product [as Sensitive Choice].”
Adele says the “really rigorous” process requires pillow brands to submit test results from independent labs backing up their hypoallergenic or antimicrobial claims.
“They have to see clear evidence that a product offers a potential benefit to someone with asthma and allergies before they’ll approve [it]”.
Sensitive Choice pillows should have a thicker outer layer to stop any inner fillings that could trigger allergies from slipping out, should not be made of latex and must be washable, among other criteria.
Any chemicals used in antimicrobial treatments should also not trigger any allergies or reactions.
Can you trust them?
Yes, but look for third-party approval – Sensitive Choice-approved pillows have been reviewed and found to help people with asthma or allergies.
The National Asthma Council created the widely recognised and trusted Sensitive Choice program 20 years to help people with asthma and allergies to make informed choices about products and services that may help reduce their exposure to triggers and support their respiratory health.
Products and services that carry the Sensitive Choice blue butterfly have been reviewed and approved by an independent, unpaid panel consisting of a variety of experts across medical, scientific and other relevant professions to determine their potential benefit to people with asthma and allergies.
Thank you to CHOICE for providing valuable information for the Australian community so they can make informed choices. Access the pillow reviews below and for more information about other asthma and allergy aware products, visit sensitivechoice.com.
