Life Kit: Health
What's in your lotion? A guide to personal care product safety
Mar 17, 2025
Linda Katz, former director of the FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, brings her expertise to the conversation about personal care product safety. She reveals the shocking lack of pre-market approval for many cosmetics and the ongoing health risks posed by ingredients like phthalates and parabens. Katz emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing labels and transitioning to safer alternatives. Listeners will learn how to navigate the complicated landscape of personal care products, making informed choices to protect their health.
24:32
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast highlights the limited regulatory framework in the U.S. for cosmetics, leaving many potentially harmful ingredients unregulated and requiring consumer vigilance.
- Listeners are urged to assess and minimize their personal care products, as many contain harmful chemicals, particularly affecting communities of color.
Deep dives
The Regulatory Landscape of Cosmetics
The podcast examines the limited regulatory framework governing cosmetics in the United States, highlighting the historical context of safety regulations with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. While the FDA can ban hazardous substances like those in the 1933 Lashlure disaster, the majority of cosmetic products are evaluated only after they hit the market. Currently, only 11 ingredients are banned outright by the FDA, with the majority of restrictions established decades ago, leaving many potentially harmful chemicals unregulated. This creates a situation where consumers must take personal responsibility for understanding the safety of products they use daily.
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