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F.D.A. Preservative definition
Could anyone provide me with a good source for the F.D.A.’s definition of preservative? Also any information on the comparison between antimicrobial and anti-oxidants?
Thanks!
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6 Replies
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Hi David. I found a definition for food products, but i think this is a good definition of a preservative. Check number 5
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=101.22
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antimicrobial = kills or prevents the growth of microorganisms
antioxidant = reacts with oxidising chemicals
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I’m curious why you want to know what the FDA thinks a preservative is. As far as cosmetics are concerned the FDA does not require people to use preservatives. Their only requirement is that you cannot sell unsafe products. And most products that don’t have preservatives are unsafe.
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Thanks to Cris, Bill and Perry for their replies! I’ve been to the F.D.A. site but didn’t see that! Bill, that helps to give me a better perspective on the two! And Perry, your answer is pretty darn clear about their way of approaching this issue. I sent Perry a reply to his question off list but would welcome a reply from his either offlist or onlist if he wishes as someone else here may benefit from it too! Thanks, everyone!
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I think it also depends on your location as to if something is classified as a preservative.
In Europe the cosmetics legislation has a list of materials allowed as preservatives in cosmetics. It does not say that you have to use one of these preservatives to preserve your product, it just sets out what is classified as a preservative. This list has allowed products that are self-preserved using multi-functional ingredients (i.e. ingredients with emollient or other properties and some antimicrobial activity) to be classified as preservative free because they do not contain ingredients from this list.
In any case products should be properly preserved for customer safety. Nobody wants a product with bacteria and mold.
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ozgirl, thanks for your input! Having different laws and legislation from country to country does add to the confusion but your last statement says it all as does Perry’s! My shaving cream as well as my newly released liquid soap do have a higher pH which provide an environment in which bacteria and mold do not grow as easily but I decided to use preservatives in both anyway even though others who make these two products don’t always! I’d rather be safe than sorry!
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