Summary
Introduction
Cosmetics and personal care products are ubiquitous. Consumer pressure arising from recent episodes of products found to be unsafe has led to new policy proposals to modernize cosmetics regulation in the United States.
Methods
We reviewed contemporary cosmetics regulation and collected major past and current policy proposals relating to cosmetics regulation with a focus on public health controversies.
Results
Under a structure originally established in 1938 that places regulation of cosmetics under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cosmetics manufacturers in the United States are not required to register their products or forward consumer complaints to the FDA, leading to broad under‐reporting of adverse events. The FDA has limited authority to mandate product recalls. The existing FDA database system that collects adverse events related to cosmetics has limited public health utility. Current proposals for new cosmetics regulations seek to establish better systems for data collection and mandatory manufacturer registrations funded by cosmetic manufacturers. Additional policy changes could include a premarket review process for cosmeceuticals (cosmetics that make drug‐like claims) and more advanced real‐world data safety monitoring tools.
Conclusions
With continued consumer concern and several recent cosmetic‐related public health controversies, the FDA should be given more resources and broader authority to protect consumer safety.
Risk factors identified before an operative vaginal delivery attempt cannot be used to accurately predict whether an operative vaginal delivery attempt will fail.
Summary
Background
There have been several recent controversies surrounding cosmetic products that have impacted health. Dermatologists are often the first to encounter these issues, and recalls are one metric of a safety profile of cosmetics and their impact on health.
Objective
To analyze all recalls of cosmetic and personal care products from 2002 to 2016.
Methods
This observational study describes all FDA cosmetic and personal care product recalls, acquired via a Freedom of Information Act request, from 2002 to 2016. The total number of Class I, Class II, and Class III recalls, number and origin of manufacturers, number of products affected, and main reason for recall were collected.
Results
A total of 14 Class I, 266 Class II, and 33 Class III recalls were recorded. Baby products comprised the largest product category accounting for 24% of all recalls (76/313). 76% of recalls were due to bacterial contamination (237/313), followed by unapproved components, labeling issues, and skin irritation. The 14 Class I recalls accounted for 1.9 million products in distribution.
Conclusions
Cosmetic recalls impacted millions of products and had the potential to cause serious harm. Dermatologists have the ability to strengthen public safety by reporting adverse events, encouraging recalls of harmful products, and lobbying through dermatology organizations for meaningful change to current cosmetic regulation.
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