Bans and Restrictions: The FDA Could Care Less

When we realized Europe had a combined amount of approximately 1,300 bans and restrictions, while the USA currently only had 11 – we grew concerned. We want you to be aware of what you’re up against, as an American citizen. We want you to understand why such a difference matters. We want you to know the difference in the prohibitions and restrictions.

United States of America (USA)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Many products tested by the FDA have undisclosed drugs. You can find a list of recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts – that they actually keep up with by clicking here and here (cosmetics). Don’t forget to sign up for notifications as well.

The Minimal USA Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients Include:

1. Bithionol
2. Chlorofluorocarbon Propellants
3. Chloroform
4. Halogenated Salicylanilides (Di-, Tri-, Metabromsalan And Tetrachlorosalicylanilide)
5. Hexachlorophene
6. Mercury Compounds
7. Methylene Chloride
8. Prohibited Cattle Materials
9. Sunscreens in Cosmetics
10. Vinyl Chloride
11. Zirconium-Containing Complexes

Europe Union (EU)

EU Cosmetics Regulation (EUCR): The EU Cosmetics Regulation governs the European Union (EU) manufacture of cosmetics. The legislation includes restrictions on the substances that may, or may not, be included in cosmetic products. If a substance does not appear in the banned or restricted list then it is permissible in cosmetic products provided the manufacturer has the appropriate safety data to ensure the ingredient and the final product is safe.  

However, there are certain other exceptions, since some ingredients are listed on 'positive lists’. This means that if you want an ingredient to perform a certain function (color, preservative or UV filter), you may only use the substances listed and no other, within their list. How much safer do the requirements across the pond sound compared to our own? It seems as if they are truly enforcing their prohibitions and restrictions, while many dangerous products are provided to end-users in the USA, without virtually any screenings.

Should Americans Be Worried?

When the FDA was asked why different ingredients were prohibited in other countries, and not our own, they replied:

 “Different countries and regions regulate cosmetics under different legal frameworks.”

Seriously? They went onto say: “Under U.S. law, FDA does not have the authority to require cosmetic manufacturers to submit their safety data to FDA, and the burden is on FDA to prove that a particular product or ingredient is harmful when used as intended. We make these decisions based on reliable scientific information available to us. FDA can take other countries’ decisions into consideration, but we can only take action within the legal and regulatory framework for cosmetics in the United States”.

What Does This Mean for Americans?

Basically, it means that any product that does not include the above restrictions can be sold to the public. The only time they can intervene is when the specific product or an ingredient within said product is harmful to its end-users, when used as the directions suggest.

My question is, if we are all human beings, and of the human race, how is it humane to allow something harmful in one part of the earth, and disallow it in another? Wouldn’t we all still be exposed to danger, regardless of where we live, if it is the same ingredient, being that we’re all human? If so, why is a country at the top of the global socioeconomic hierarchy, so far behind?

We should all be worried about our health. If only 11 items in the USA are either banned or restricted for certain needs, then imagine what deadly, cancerous, or brain-damaging items you could be using on a daily basis. Think twice before you buy. Best practice would to keep a chemistry app on your smartphone. That way, you can learn new chemicals, keywords, code words, and what reactions your body may have to said products.