Thread: Rejoice. Safe US "artisan" soaps might be just around the corner.

There is a a good and simple explanation why no US "artisan" soap ever had any success in Europe. There is, unfortunately, no way of telling what negative side effects their ingredients might have. While diligent and sometimes stricter than its EU counterpart, the FDA had been strangely lenient with regards to cosmetics products so far.

Well, maybe not much longer. Cf thePersonal Care Products Safety Act*(S. 1014).

Spare me the knee jerk "small government" reactions, please. Europe is not run by Socialists, and the vast majority of products - including outstanding artisan products like Esbjerg, de Candre, Meißner Tremonia, or Calani - come from there.

So, this is seriously good news. I am keeping my fingers crossed for US customers that this bill is passed. It would eliminate dangerous products. Like that infamous "artisan" soap containing cyanide.

Hi, Robin
as pharmacist I try in my little town to help people with drugs but more with knowledge, teaching what is wrong about everyday chemical problems: no one use that ear, everyone prefer the "Blessed Ignorance"

I think it is about time! And sadly Canada is still behind in that regard!


Here's an interesting Slate magazine article on the topic.

In Europe, potential toxins are generally considered guilty until proven innocent; in the U.S., the opposite holds true.

Originally Posted by Badgister

I think it is about time! And sadly Canada is still behind in that regard!


Here's an interesting Slate magazine article on the topic.

In Canada the government oversight of various industries has been on the decline for a long time.

We just had a case where a meat packing plant tried to export tainted meat to the US. I say tried because the US meat inspectors caught the problem before any harm was done. The tainted meat was supposedly tested and certified good by a meat packing company employee. More and more emphasis has been placed on industry self regulation in Canada as a means of cost control for the government, fewer government inspectors and fewer inspections. I don't see that as a good thing.

Oth I do not want a system that stifles business either but there has to be a decent level of government oversight for some proper margin of consumer safety. I think we are going in the wrong direction and our consumer safety margins are getting too thin.

Bob

Fun fact: the artisan cosmetics business in Europe is thriving. The very best artisan shaving products come from Europe. Most of them were launched after the tightened quality and safety controls were put into place. Meaning it is perfectly manageable to produce high quality, safe shaving cosmetics.

The "artisans" that will be affected, though, will be those who offload inferior products, notably ones liberally using Chinese base products of unknown quality.

Good stuff all around, like I said.

I do not think that the posters so far are disagreeing with you in the least Robin. Just pointing out how lax things appear to have gotten over here. Even if you have regulations on the books and oversight is spotty at best you could be in trouble. You can never prevent all problems through even with draconian measures but what we now have less than marginal imo.

Bob

Sure sounds like good news. I have found a couple of artisan soaps I like and I trust the vendors because it is their livelihood, name and reputation, that goes along with the products. Large companies producing enough soap to export will be more concerned with what they can get away with and the bottom line.
I have lost all faith/trust in the FDA. This is the same agency that has recently approved the use of a chemical called 2,4-D for weed control on GMO crops like corn and soybeans. Vietnam War veterans will recognize 2,4-D as half of the highly toxic mix that made up Agent Orange.
I guess were I am going with this is the outcome will probably be more regulations on substances that soap makers use. Making it impossible for some (think small businesses) to purchase/use these otherwise harmless ingredients because of special handling/storage/licensing requirements. The FDA is controlled by big business more than our politicians.
If what your saying is people in EU will trust the US products more because they are FDA approved then I say they are falling into the same trap most Americans are in.
Where I work, Coca Cola is on the list of materials that ,if spilled, is to be treated like any other hazmat like paint or pesticides. The Coca Cola rep. says " Yes that's true. I don't use the stuff myself, just deliver it."

As much as I would love to believe the FDA is protecting our health and well fair I have less trouble believing in forest nymphs.

Hey Pups, I don't think it is a matter of trusting US products but more of a matter of being able to export a product to another country. I most cases you have to meet that countries labeling and ingredients laws and so on. As an individual you can import an item for personal use in most cases. It is a different story if you import as a retailer/wholesaler and are not the end user.

Bob