Toxic Gifts: Read the Ingredients before Slathering on that Smelly Lotion

So, you’ve opened all your gifts and among them are some cologne, lotion, body wash or other personal care products loaded with fragrance. You might be eager to try out your new stuff, but before you douse yourself in that rank smelling body spray in the hopes of enticing your sister’s hot friend into joining you under the mistletoe, check the ingredients. There might be stuff in that harmless looking product that could seriously affect your health.

The number one ingredient you should look for? Fragrance. Whenever you see ‘fragrance’ you should read it as ‘hidden chemicals’, due to a major loophole in FDA federal law that allows manufacturers to include nearly any ingredient in their products under the word ‘fragrance’ without actually listing the chemical.

From the Environmental Working Group:

Companies that manufacture personal care products are required by law to list the ingredients they use, but fragrances and trade-secret formulas are exempt. An analysis of the chemical contents of products reveals that the innocuous-looking “fragrance” often contains chemicals linked to negative health effects. Phthalates, used to make fragrances last longer, are associated damage to the male reproductive system, and artificial musks accumulate in our bodies and can be found in breast milk. Some artificial musks are even linked to cancer. And if you’ve got asthma, watch out– fragrance formulas are considered to be among the top 5 known allergens, and can trigger asthma attacks. The same kinds of chemicals are often used for fragrances in cleaning products, scented candles, and air fresheners.

Never assume that ‘fragrance’ means natural essential oils. If the scents used in a product are natural, the manufacturer is going to make sure you’re aware of that – it’s a major selling point. It’s sad that we have to be responsible to ensure that neurotoxins, carcinogens and other dangerous substances don’t end up in our bodies without our knowledge, but the FDA simply doesn’t regulate the personal care/cosmetics industry as well as they should.

Look up any product you receive in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, which rates products according to the safety of their ingredients. Don’t assume that just because a brand has a reputation for natural and organic products, that every product from that brand is safe.

Link [EWG] + [Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database]

Food Manufacturers Ban Food Dyes in Europe to Protect Kids, but Not in the U.S.

We place a lot of trust in food companies. When you think about it, most people don’t bother to ever read the ingredients in the food they purchase, let alone go look them up to see what exactly they’re putting into their own bodies – and those of their children. The bottom line is, food companies are concerned with profits – not safety. You may associate major brands with quality, but that doesn’t mean they’re doing everything they can to ensure that the best possible ingredients go into your food. And I’m not even talking about fresh, organic ingredients – I’m talking about stuff that won’t harm you.

Numerous studies since the 1970’s have shown that food dyes are linked to hyperactivity and other disorders in children. The FDA has disputed these claims for decades, stating that the dyes undergo safety testing, but the fact is that the FDA doesn’t test the dyes themselves – they leave it up to manufacturers to do animal testing to see if dyes cause harmful effects.

From The Lohasian:

Although the FDA reports that some individuals are sensitive to Yellow #5 and break out in hives, the agency does not agree with the conclusions about ADHD or asthma or for that matter hyperactivity (that has been asserted in dozens of studies over the years). Recently the issue resurfaced when a consumer advocacy group known as the Center for Science in the Public Interest called for the FDA to outright ban their use.

The organization went on to point out how the British government is finding success pressuring manufacturers to phase out use of such dyes. Late last year, Mars banished artificial colors from its well-known Starburst and Skittles candies sold in the UK. Northfield-based Kraft did the same in early 2007 with its British version of Lunchables.

“This is about listening to consumers,” said Kraft spokesman Michael Mitchell.

Thus far, U.S. consumers haven’t spoken up enough to cause big manufacturers to drop the dyes. Kraft’s decision for safer dyes was based on public demand.

So basically, what it comes down to is that American consumers aren’t demanding safe food products for their children, and that’s a shame. Companies like Kraft, Mars and others can get away with using artificial dyes here – which make foods look more ‘vibrant’ than natural colorings – because people don’t seem to have a problem with it. If the FDA isn’t going to protect your kids, and food companies aren’t either, it’s up to you, folks – demand that these companies change their ways for the sake of your children. As The Lohasian puts it,

…how is it that for thousands of years children managed to remain nourished and happy without blue cereal ? What is the battle here really all about other than protecting manufacturers and the chemical companies manufacturing the dyes. What benefit do our kids really get from purple drinks, other than creating a threshold of unhealthy perceptions on nutrition. Do dyes need to be linked to hyperactivity to be considered bad for our kids?

Get more info about food dyes from the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Link [The Lohasian] + [CSPI]
Photo credit: Flickr user *Micky