Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) . Stock photo.NEW YORK- In response to a children’s health study done by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Sen. Krsiten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) has introduced the Safe Baby Products Act into the federal legislature.
In conjunction with the bill, now awaiting a reference number, Gillibrand wrote a letter to Frank M. Torti, acting commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, stating that “due to complete and total lack of oversight, the products that we use to care for our children could be putting their health and lives at risk. I find it to be unacceptable that the FDA does not regulate personal care products, as it does food and drugs.”
Gillibrand went on to say in her letter that, “The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned laboratory tests that revealed that personal care products are commonly contaminated with formaldehyde or 1,4-dioxane, which have been linked to cancer and skin allergies.
“I am writing to demand that the FDA protect America’s children by requiring that all ingredients are safe for long-term use before they can be used in everyday products.”
In addition, her Act declares Gillibrand’s intention “to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the presence of contaminants and impurities in cosmetics and personal care products marketed to and used by children” that are seven years old and younger.
If passed into law, the Act will require, within one year of its enactment, that the Secretary complete and submit a report to Congress that describes the chemical findings on tested products, such as baby shampoos, baby baths, sunscreen, and baby wipes. This report will also be made available to the public.
The Act would also require the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to establish regulations of good manufacturing practices for the cosmetics industry regarding impurities or contaminants. The Secretary would be required to look at which impurities or contaminants could be reduced or eliminated by switching to alternative ingredients, or which manufacturing processes or practices could reduce or eliminate impurities from raw materials.
Regarding enforcement, the Act would require any product not meeting compliance requirements to be “deemed adulterated” under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act.
To learn more about the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ findings and safety recommendations, read the outline or complete study - No More Toxic Tub: Getting the Contaminants Out Of Children’s Bath & Personal Care Products