"Food grade" cosmetics are not so magical

Zhang Tao

  In the past, in order to highlight the green, healthy, and harmless cosmetics, businesses often used words such as "pure plants" and "pure natural" in their publicity.

Nowadays, as these words have been banned by relevant departments, some businesses have turned to "food grade" and "edible", implying that consumers-products can be eaten in their mouths, and there is no problem in using them on their bodies.

  In fact, "food-grade" cosmetics is a completely false concept.

According to my country's "Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics", cosmetics refers to the daily chemical industry that is applied to the skin, hair, nails, lips and other human surfaces by rubbing, spraying or other similar methods for the purpose of cleaning, protecting, beautifying and modifying product.

As a chemical product, the use method, action site, and action mechanism of cosmetics determine that it is impossible to have edible functions, and there is no such thing as "food grade".

  Cosmetics and food belong to different industries. They use different parts and absorb different ingredients. They use different raw materials and product index requirements, prohibition and restriction requirements, implemented specifications, and inspection standards. They are not just food-grade products used in skin care. safer.

Take lemon as an example. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be consumed directly, but if it is applied directly on the face, it will not only not whiten it, but may also cause itching and redness.

The effective ingredients in lemons used in cosmetics must be extracted through special means to adjust the concentration and irritation.

  Food is food and cosmetics are cosmetics. The two cannot be confused.

According to existing standards and regulations, cosmetics are not edible, and there is no concept of "edible" cosmetics.

Since the beginning of this year, market regulatory authorities in many places have issued relevant consumer reminders.

However, the marketing routines of "food-grade" cosmetics have not been effectively curbed.

  The Consumer Rights Protection Law stipulates that when business operators provide consumers with information about the quality, performance, purpose, and validity period of goods or services, they shall be truthful and comprehensive, and shall not make false or misleading publicity.

The Advertising Law also clearly stipulates that advertisements must not contain false or misleading content, and must not deceive or mislead consumers.

"Food-grade" cosmetics are typical false advertisements. The relevant departments cannot stop reminding consumers. They must order businesses to stop publishing, eliminate the impact, and impose corresponding penalties.

From a long-term perspective, it is necessary to further improve relevant regulations and include "food grade" and "edible" as banned words in cosmetics advertisements, so as to standardize the marketing order and protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.

  Zhang Tao