Teach Soap

I add EO's to my M&P soaps, let's say for a 4oz bar I add approximately 10 drops. Do I need to add the warning about EO's to my labels since it's such a small amount. and, when listing colorants what is the proper labeling for cosmetic safe?

I don't add a warning. I list my EO(s) individually. If the color is a mica, then it's called mica. Oxide or ultramarine is the same way. If it's a FD&C color, then you list it as FD&C color (ie: FD&C blue) then the number of it.

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

You might not need to add a warning, but certain essential oils can be harmful to certain individuals, so to be on the safe side why not add a warning for any potentially hazardous e.o.s. There are many essential oils that should be avoided during pregnancy. I know soap is a wash off product and maybe the amount of the essential oil is small, but if you add a warning, then you have covered your backside.

http://www.essentialoils.co.za/pregnancy.htm

You can add a warning, but if someone sues you, that warning will be moot. It won't cover your back side.

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

So you are telling me that not having a warning label is OK? I disagree. If a pet product should have a warning label, a product for human use should have one also. Yes, you might still get sued, but I bet having a warning label would be better than not listing a warning. If you want to take a chance that is your lookout but I feel better adding a warning label. Even Zest bar soap contains a warning.
Since the original poster asked the following question I assume hers will be considered a cosmetic bar. "I add EO's to my M&P soaps, let's say for a 4oz bar I add approximately 10 drops. Do I need to add the warning about EO's to my labels since it's such a small amount. and, when listing colorants what is the proper labeling for cosmetic safe?"




Labeling a cosmetic soap bar:

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the labeling requirements for cosmetic products. The label for a bar of soap must contain the following six components:

Ingredients in descending order of predominance

Net weight of soap

The word "soap" displayed on the Principal Display Panel (PDP). This is usually on the front panel of label.

Name and place of business. The street address may be omitted if your business is listed in a current city or telephone directory.

A warning statement whenever necessary or appropriate to prevent a health hazard that may be associated with the product.

Directions for safe use

Source: http://www.learnsoapmaking.com/other_labeling_soap.html

Products that meet the definition of "soap" are exempt from the provisions of the FD&C Act because -- even though Section 201(i)(1) of the act includes "articles...for cleansing" in the definition of a cosmetic -- Section 201(i)(2) excludes soap from the definition of a cosmetic.
http://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/guidanceco ... 074201.htm

So if your soap is not true soap, then labeling guidelines are different. Many, many true soaps on the market today have a fragrance or essential oil blend listed as fragrance and they have no warnings on the label.

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

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JKM Creative Enterprises

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

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JKM Creative Enterprises

When I hear "Cleansing Bar" I automatically think of Dove soap.

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Actually the regulation does state that the soap bar must be clearly labeled "soap" and state the weight, so somewhere, if you want to be considered a soap, you need to label as soap.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

jkm, sorry to hear about the restrictions on use of the computer. Here's hoping the surgery corrects things for you and will be up to
speed quickly!

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

Thank you everyone for your help....I have been putting on the warning labels about the EO's, here is what I say.....Warning: Consult Physician if pregnant or diagnosed with any serious medical conditions before using products containing essential oils. Now, is that too general or do I need to be more specific? I'm trying to figure out how to do the tinypic thing to post a photo but I'm an idiot and can't figure out how to post it once I resize it, I grabbed the code for the forum's like it said but nothing happens. Any suggesations?

I use Photobucket and when I click on the IMG Code it copies the "[IMG][IMG]" brackets right along with the url so maybe you don't need to click the "Img" button above, just paste what you have copied. Hope this is clear, sometimes what I post and what I think I am posting aren't quite the same.
As far as your warning label, I would rather post a warning than not. If one of my products contains a specific essential oil that is known to have harmful effects on certain individuals, such as Rosemary and epileptics, I might include the statement "This product contains Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil, which may an cause adverse reaction in epileptics. If you don't want to use the word, epileptics, you might say in some individuals who are prone to seizures. You can probably come up with something that is more politically correct. LOL I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but it seems to me, if your product safety was questioned, having a warning label would be better than not having posted any kind of warning at all. Just my opinion.

imho, yes that is too general, as not all EO's pose issues for pregnant women or anyone else. And then there are some that cause specific issues for specific conditions. Some raise blood pressure and some lower it. Some may induce seizures if you are epileptic and some could induce spontaneous abortions or cause a problem for a baby if you are a breast feeding women.

I will probably get into some trouble here, and I do not say this to be mean, but if you don't know know what the properties and the contraindications and the indications of the EO's are, then you should not be using them in your products.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy