All Blog Posts

  • An Almond Doesn’t Lactate

    An Almond Doesn’t Lactate

    Last month, pointing out that “almonds don’t lactate,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced that the FDA will soon issue a new guidance on the use of the term “milk.” Currently cow’s milk is defined as: Directly from the regulations: “the lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more […]

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  • Are Your Color Additives Legal?

    Are Your Color Additives Legal?

    Color additives are a major concern for the FDA. Using an unapproved color additive can cause your product to be adulterated (and illegal).

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  • If One, Then All?

    If One, Then All?

    “If you put one ingredient on your soap label, you have to list them all” is an idea is being bandied around a lot lately. But is it true? As with most questions about legal stuff and regulations, yes… and no. Cosmetics If the product is a cosmetic, then the answer is a resounding YES. […]

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  • Natural Colorants, More

    Natural Colorants, More

    Since my last post about natural colorants I’ve gotten some questions about using ingredients that change the color of the soap or cosmetic, where that really wasn’t the point of the ingredient. Lets review the definitions. I’m just including the important bits, and bolding the really important bits. Color Additive Any material that is capable […]

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  • Natural Colorants for Soap & Cosmetics

    Natural Colorants for Soap & Cosmetics

    For most people making and selling handcrafted soap and/or cosmetics “natural colorants” means ingredients such as herbs and spices that will change the color of your product. If you do a Google search for “natural colorants” you will find articles, posts, messages, books, webinars, and much more detailing the many ways you can make beautiful and […]

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  • Trade Secrets

    Trade Secrets

    You’ve developed the perfect product and you want to keep the formulation secret. Can you hide some of the ingredients? Well, yes and no. Key Word to Know Trade Secret Any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information which is used in one’s business and which gives one an opportunity to obtain an advantage over […]

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  • Looking for Product Drug Claims

    Looking for Product Drug Claims

    When we talk about “drug claims” we are actually talking about the statements that tell the consumer that a product is intended to be used to diagnose, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease or to change the structure or function of the body. How does the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determine the intended use of […]

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  • 10 Ways to Improve Your Quality Control

    10 Ways to Improve Your Quality Control

    “Quality control” is all about finding each little thing you can do to maintain control over the quality of your products. Here are 10 things you can do to improve your quality control.

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  • Anti-Aging, Rejuvenating, and Repairing Claims

    Anti-Aging, Rejuvenating, and Repairing Claims

    The FDA’s 1988 Import Alert regarding Anti Aging Creams was withdrawn at the end of 2017. What does that mean?

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  • Color Additives for In-Bath Products

    Color Additives for In-Bath Products

    The FDA regulates color additives and their use. For cosmetics, the FDA has a list of color additives permitted for use in cosmetics and each color additive has specifications on how it may be used: In-Bath Products “In-bath products” include cosmetic products such as bath oil, bubble bath, bath fizzies, or bath bombs—many of which are […]

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  • Street Address – Your Choices

    Street Address – Your Choices

    Even though the requirements for the street address on the label are pretty clear cut, it still seems to be an issue for those working out of their homes.

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  • “Love” Isn’t an Ingredient

    “Love” Isn’t an Ingredient

    The FDA has finally stated, clearly and definitely, that “love” isn’t an ingredient—at least in granola. Recently the news and social media have been filled with articles about the FDA’s recent warning letter to a bakery in Concord, Massachusetts, in which they were cited for (amongst other things), including “love” which is “not a common […]

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