In 2008 New York introduced a mandate requiring fast food establishments to add calorie labels to their menus in an attempt to prevent us from growing massive muffin tops and half ton J-Lo’s. According to the assistant city commissioner’s findings, the labels are working. Ignorance sure is bliss, but when faced with the truth (e.g. a thousand-calorie brownie a la mode), most people are shown to modify their behavior (split it at least!) and opt for healthier alternatives. So why can’t we get health labels on our personal care products?
As most of you probably already know, the FDA doesn’t invest its time regulating personal care products because it doesn’t believe they pose an immediate health risk. In other words, a slow, insidious poisoning of our bodies by the daily onslaught of man-made toxic chemicals hidden away in our body lotions, shampoos, cosmetics, perfumes, and deodorants is permissible.
If we had labels that scored the level of toxicity of our personal care products, my guess is that it’d prompt many of us to make healthier, greener choices and change our buying habits. Jolly good, right? For us, yes. For your collagen-plumping lip gloss company, not so much. Although some beauty companies have responded to consumers’ concerns, the vast majority of the billion-dollar industry has been seemingly reluctant to change, as doing so would require a massive overhaul of its formulations for less harmful ingredients–and lots of moolah coming out of its pocket. Sadly and infuriatingly, in this day and age the bottom line and the status quo muddy the progress towards greater consumer knowledge, choice, and most importantly, health. Sick, isn’t it?
On the bright side, I think the controversy is here to stay until there’s widespread accountability and regulation. Reputable sites like The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic database are really spreading the word that we don’t want to be guinea pigs to what some critics claim are innocuous ingredients. Hey, I’m all about testings things out but never at the expense of my health.