Helping soap and cosmetic handcrafters navigate the rules and regs.
Find out more about all aspects of soap and cosmetic labeling, regulations, legislation, and news!
In 1988, the FDA issued Import Alert 66-38 titled “Skin Care Products Labeled as Anti-Aging Creams” which clearly stated that exaggerated ‘anti aging’ claims could cause a product to be an unapproved new drug. Import Alert 66-38 was the basis for understanding restrictions on cosmetic claims like anti-aging, rejuvenating and repairing. That Import Alert was…
The FDA regulates color additives and their use. For cosmetics, the FDA has a list of color additives permitted for use in cosmetics and each color additive has specifications on how it may be used: “Eye Area” means the area around the eyes. Which is the area from the brow to eyelids, lashes, eyeball and area just…
Even though the requirements for the street address on the label are pretty clear cut, it still seems to be an issue for those working out of their homes.
The FDA has finally stated, clearly and definitely, that “love” isn’t an ingredient … at least in granola. Recently the news and social media have been filled with articles about the FDA’s recent warning letter to a bakery in Concord, Massachusetts, in which they were cited for (amongst other things), including “love” which is “not…
The EPA website has been updated since the last time I looked at it. It still wasn’t too easy to find the Minimum Risk Pesticides page, but once I found it, I discovered it was much clearer and easier to understand than before the updates. Of course, the information and regulations haven’t changed – but…
The FTC has issued the final rule for updating some aspects of their labeling regulations, including the requirements for the business name and address. Note that these revised regulations will apply to non-cosmetic items, including to soap that is exempt from the definition of a cosmetic (see Soap, the Chameleon). The updated regulation concering the business…
Close to HALF of the labels I see don’t include the net weight. The net weight of the product isn’t just a good idea. It is a key piece of information that is required on every product.
The FDA just published a warning letter to a cosmetic manufacturer in St. Louis. Once again, the FDA reviewed the website and cited drug claims: “…the claims on your website establish that the products are drugs under the … Food Drug and Cosmetic Act … because they are intended for use in the cure, mitigation,…
Last March, I sent a Freedom of Information Request to the FDA, asking for details on any decisions they had made to use “discretionary enforcement” on some regulations. It seems that there are some labeling regulations which the FDA has apparently decided not to enforce, but they haven’t really said anything publicly. That may be…
The FDA doesn’t regulate the term “natural” for cosmetics, but the FTC has taken action against deceptive claims of “all natural” cosmetics under their authority over “deceptive practices.” Who Has Authority? When it comes to cosmetic products, their safety and labeling, the FDA has authority. But as an interesting historical note, when the Food Drug…
Most of the recent packaging I’ve seen DOES have the net contents on it. However, on almost all, it is way too small. Way. Too. Small.
Some stunning hybrid soap can be made by combining two different types of soaps into one artistic bar. The problem is, how do you figure out the ingredient declaration when you have a CP soap with MP soap embeds (or vice versa)?
