Rio Hair Naturalizer System

The Rio Hair Naturalizer System was a hair relaxer distributed by The World Rio Corporation Inc.. It was available in two types; "Neutral" as well as another one that claimed to have a "Color Enhancement Formula" that contained a black hair dye. [http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS00620.html] As a product designed for home use, it was promoted through informercials in the early to mid 1990's.

Despite the claims of relaxer being safe and natural, the product contained copper, ammonium, and chloride salts and a pH of less than the listed level of 3. [http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/136/9/1104] Due to these factors, people using the product suffered from hair loss, scalp burns, and (in some cases) green hair color. By 1995, there were over 3000 complaints lodged to the Food and Drug Administration. Eventually, the product was barred from being imported into the U.S. and all remaining company stocks were destroyed. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1370/is_n2_v30/ai_18175443] Several victims (about 53,000) filed a Class Action Lawsuit against World Rio Corporation, resulting in a judgement of $4.5 milliion. The incident also raised questions about the issue of relaxing afro textured hair in genreal. [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/9164530.html?dids=9164530&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS&fmac=&date=Jan+7%2C+1996&author=Zook%2C+Kristal+Brent&desc=Get+out+of+our+hair%3A++Untangling+the+politics+on+top+of+the+black+woman%27s+head]