“Consumers deserve to know that their daily routine of applying makeup, using aftershave, or washing their children’s hair will not put their health at risk,” said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group. The Alliance recently revealed its support of the Personal Care Products Safety Act (S.1113) introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) as part of its “day of action,” when Alliance members visit, call and write members of Congress.


“Every day millions of men and women use cosmetics and personal care products like shampoo and lotion and assume that they are safe but the FDA does not have adequate authority to ensure the ingredients in these products that American families use daily are safe, nor does FDA have adequate authority to recall these products if they are found to be dangerous,” emphasized Delgado.


Among actions that would be authorized by S.1113: FDA would have the adequate authority to order recalls of cosmetic and personal care products that threaten consumer safety, such as a contaminated product; companies would be required to provide timely reporting of adverse events; FDA would be required to annually evaluate for safety at least five chemicals used in cosmetic and personal care products; and, companies would be required to include ingredient information and warnings for products sold online.


The legislation’s requirements are budget-neutral and financed through a new user fee program paid by cosmetic and personal care product companies.


“This legislation, if enacted, would represent the first new consumer protections on cosmetics and personal care products in almost 80 years. It is action long overdue and we look forward to the bill becoming law,” concluded Delgado.


More info: www.healthyamericas.org