April 13, 2011 The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database just got a makeover. The world’s largest resource on personal care product safety logs an average of 100,000 searches daily – totaling nearly 250 million searches since EWG unveiled the site seven years ago. New on the site: A new look, with easier search and navigation…
Make sure you don’t fall prey to these eight common myths about the safety of cosmetics: Myth: If products are for sale at a supermarket, drugstore or department store cosmetics counter, they must be safe. Read more »
Most people use these products without a second thought, and believe that the government must certainly be policing the safety of the mixtures in these myriad containers. But they’re wrong. Read more »
“Fragrance” is a term that the cosmetics, cleaning and candle industries use on ingredient lists that disclose only that there are unnamed chemicals in the product. Which is not so helpful for avid label-readers (like me) who want and deserve full information when choosing products. Unless you use it as a red flag for what…
We’ve put together this easy True-False Quiz because, well, so few people know how scary, how wildly unregulated it really is in the cosmetics aisles. Test your knowledge! If you get them all wrong, you’re not alone. But you do need help. Ready? Read more »
So let’s say, hypothetically, that your four-year old has begun begging for a play makeup set. Some parents would react with a firm but gentle, “No stinkin’ way, sweetcheeks.” I can understand that sentiment – children grow up fast enough without the aid of adult trappings. In the end, whether or not to let a…
In a letter to Andrew C. von Eschenbach, US FDA Commissioner, EWG’s Executive Director Richard Wiles writes, “FDA regulators will attend a forum in Brussels this week in which cosmetic industry representatives and international regulators will discuss “ways to remove regulatory obstacles among the regions” and other issues related to cosmetic marketing and safety (FDA…
CTFA staff scientist and frequent spokesman Gerald McEwen is the primary advisor of the industry-funded panel on which the FDA relies for decisions relating to personal care product safety. A new EWG analysis has discovered that he frequently cites incorrect information about product ingredient labels. October 12, 2005 Ms. Pamela G. Bailey President The Cosmetic,…
Consumer Update — FDA admits inability to ensure the safety of personal care products Safety decisions left to companies and consumers “The [Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act] contains no provision that requires demonstration to FDA of the safety of ingredients of cosmetic products… prior to marketing the product.”— FDA response to EWG petition, September 29…
“…you should know that FDA intends to consider taking compliance action, where appropriate, regarding cosmetic products that contain ingredients that have not been shown to be safe…” — Feb. 3, 2005 Letter from Robert E. Brackett, Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, to E. Edward Kavanaugh, CTFA FDA Warning…
To secure the safety of the millions of consumers who use personal care products in their daily lives, Environmental Working Group (EWG) petitions the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take immediate action to cease the unlawful distribution of misbranded, adulterated and unlabeled cosmetics. American consumers rely upon the Food and Drug Administration for protection…
