Texas AG Paxton Investigates Hanes and Fruit of the Loom Over Possible Toxic Chemicals

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued civil investigative demands to Hanes and Fruit of the Loom over possible harmful chemicals in children's clothing materials. His office cited research linking synthetic fabrics and chemicals including bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS, parabens, and fluorine to endocrine disruption, infertility, cancer, and other health concerns. Coverage notes an Environmental Justice Foundation finding that 92.8% of plastic chemicals used in textiles present a high health risk and 75.3% lack toxicity or exposure data. No test results have been identified showing either brand's garments contain toxic substances. The probe was ongoing as of Oct. 6, 2026. Paxton said parents' necessities must be free from toxic chemicals and that he will go after corporations harming Texas consumers. Gildan, owner of Hanes, said it will cooperate and pointed to Restricted Substance List compliance, including California's Proposition 65, and supply-chain oversight. Fruit of the Loom had not commented at Texas Scorecard publication. Recorded coverage is limited to right-leaning outlets, which also note a similar April Lululemon probe and other women's-brand reviews under a Make America Healthy Again framing. Whether the garments contain harmful materials remains unresolved.