Teach Soap

I have been reading a lot about how to label correctly according to the FDA. I am aware of everything that needs to be stated on the labels. But - I do have a few questions in case anyone knows the answers:

1. I see that if I don't specify any particular ingredient then I don't have to have a list of all of them. Does that mean that I can just have a label that says Handmade Soap and nothing else on it? Or - do I still need to put the weight, my address ect...?

2. I am thinking about a workaround to the label issue and wondering if this is acceptable: I would print a cigar wrapper that only says handmade soap but would have a separate small piece of paper with info and a description of my soaps. I would NOT state specifically what is in each particular bar, but would describe more generally the oils and butters I use, and I would state that I use colorants and fragrances that have preservatives. All these would be very general and non specific. Is this ok to do or not?

I would appreciate any feedback I could get on this!

Just as long as you don't make any claims and it's just soap, you don't need to list the ingredients. You do need to list the soap name, the net weight and the address.
As soon as you list an oil or butter, you will need to list them all.
What kind of colorants are you using that have preservatives?
I don't use any preservatives in my soaps.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I use Brambleberry's lab colors as well as some micas and pigments. The labcolors have optiphen or germaben which are preservatives.
I think I may take the route of listing all my ingredients bcs I would like people to know about all the great oils and butters I use. If I don't list any at all then they don't know it's really good soap...

I don't want to do anything illegal of course, but for now I don't have a company (which I would have to open if I start really selling seriously) and so I'm thinking I will just give people a small card with a short Bio about myself and in general the oils and fragrances I use. So they won't have a specification for the bar they are buying, but they will have a broader idea of what I use in my soaps.
What do you think of this?
Irena, I thank you so much for replying to my posts. Not many others seem to be and it's so hard when you're just starting out and trying to find your way...

I list my ingredients mainly for those that have allergies, but I'm also proud of the oils and butters that I use. So I list them.
A card with a bio sounds like a good idea.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

From another group, here is an article regarding disclosures on labels and what is required

http://www.mariegale.com/quick-labeling-faq/

Do not underestimate the power of over-regulation. Don't forget to get your business license. The fact that you don't yet consider yourself a company is not going to make a difference to the city where you sell your soaps, if you are selling.

Don't forget to maintain business records. The IRS won't care about what you think either. If you are selling, you are in business, and you need to make sure that you are square with all of the authorities.

For now I am not selling my soaps yet. I am looking into all this to see if I feel I even want to get into all this.
Selling small time may not make sense if I have to open a company and all the other expenses invloved.
I'm thinking about it all and find myself quite confilcted...