The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) has removed a previously published media release relating to a student-led potato soap project from its website.
The original release described a sustainability-focused initiative involving soap made from unharvested potatoes. It was subsequently reproduced across a number of third-party publications, where elements of the story—including descriptions of the product and its development—continue to remain publicly accessible.
The original media release also included descriptions of the product’s properties, including references to potato starch as a key ingredient with vitamin content and statements suggesting it could promote collagen production.
Questions were subsequently raised regarding whether these types of claims were supported by established cosmetic science or appropriately substantiated prior to publication. These concerns formed part of the broader review of the materials.
Concerns regarding attribution and presentation were raised with the University. In response, UPEI engaged in a review process involving consultation with the Enactus UPEI program.
As part of that process, a proposed resolution was outlined in correspondence. This included restoration of the original media materials along with the addition of an editor’s note acknowledging that potato-based soap production had previously been developed and commercially introduced on Prince Edward Island, including by The Island Potato Soap Company.
The text of the proposed editor’s note read:
“This story features a student initiative developed as part of the Enactus UPEI program. We have since become aware that potato based soap production has previously been developed and commercialized on Prince Edward Island, including by The Island Potato Soap Company. We recognize the entrepreneurial groundwork laid by Island founders who have pioneered innovative uses of local agricultural products.”
The proposed approach was not implemented in full. A subsequent expanded version of the editor’s note was proposed, one that would also address the novelty framing in third-party publications, unsubstantiated scientific descriptions such as references to vitamin content and collagen promotion, and the potential for consumer confusion in the wider marketplace regarding the composition and properties of potato-based soap products. UPEI declined to incorporate these additional concerns into the scope of the correction. The University has since indicated it considers the matter closed.
While the University’s original publication has been removed, versions of the story reproduced by third-party outlets remain online. Some of these versions include novelty-based framing originating from the original media release, including references such as “first soap made from discarded potatoes.” These descriptions continue to circulate without updated context. The expanded editor’s note, which would have addressed these third-party reproductions directly, was not accepted as part of the final resolution.
This account is based on documented correspondence and publicly available materials.
