feb 11 
Question by Wendy
Send this post to a friendI wrote to the Mustela baby products company to ask them about phthalates in their products because I use so many of their baby products. I checked the labels for "phthalate-free," or DEP and DEHP but, I am still uncertain. I�ve read that the chemicals often don't appear on product labels because retail products aren't required to list individual ingredients of fragrances, which are a common phthalate source.
I asked if Mustela could please let me know about each of the Mustela products I use and whether or not they contain these chemicals.
Mustela products I am currently using are:
Massage Oil,
Foam Shampoo,
2 in 1 Hair & Body wash,
Vitamin barrier cream,
PhysiOb�b�� No-rinse cleansing fluid,
Facial Cleansing Cloths
Cold Cream Nutri-protective
Hydra B�b�� face,
Hydra B�b�� body
I have not receieved any email back from Mustela with a reponse. Could you please help me.
Thanks so much.
Wendy Miller
Comments (2) |  |
1. 02/21/2008 07:33:02 PM
I copied this from the Mustela website. I use those products too, and I love them! But I think I'll switch to Burts Bees or California Baby because it appears they don't use phthlates.
I read recently that phthalates found in some baby shampoos washes and lotions might be harmful. Do your products contain phthalates?
The news media recently covered a story regarding the risk of phthalate ingredients in baby products. Mustela and Expanscience Laboratories conduct rigorous safety testing under strict dermatological, pediatric, and toxicological supervision. Phthalates is a broad term for a wide range of compounds and they are not introduced as such in our packaging or products as ingredients.
I read recently that phthalates found in some baby shampoos washes and lotions might be harmful. Do your products contain phthalates?
The news media recently covered a story regarding the risk of phthalate ingredients in baby products. Mustela and Expanscience Laboratories conduct rigorous safety testing under strict dermatological, pediatric, and toxicological supervision. Phthalates is a broad term for a wide range of compounds and they are not introduced as such in our packaging or products as ingredients.
2. 04/04/2008 03:47:04 PM
I'm glad to hear you wrote to the company, the more manufacturers hear from concerned consumers, the better. It's disappointing that Mustela didn't respond to your email. Phthalates have no place in any consumer products, but their presence in products intended for babies is particularly alarming since phthalates interfere with normal reproductive and hormonal development.
The simplest way to try to avoid phthalates is to buy fragrance-free and unscented products (although even these products may contain some chemicals to mask odor). There are a number of baby personal care product manufacturers that make at least some of their products phthalate-free, California Baby, Burt's Bees and Baby's Bliss are just a few. It is best to check the label to be sure it reads "phthalate-free."
The European Union has banned the phthalates DEHP and DBP, so products manufactured and sold in Europe shouldn’t contain these phthalates but they may contain other phthalates such as DEP. In the United States, the FDA regulates personal care products, including cosmetics. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, cosmetics and their ingredients are not required to undergo FDA approval before they are sold to the public. While companies are required to list their ingredients on the label, phthalates are most commonly added to products for fragrance, which is just listed as "fragrance" on the label. You are correct that you won't see phthalates such as dibutylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP), or diethylphthalate (DEP) on the label of personal care items.
Personal care products that are marketed as "natural" can be just about anything, there are no labeling requirements. Companies may also use the word "organic" in the product name or on the label, without complying with the USDA’s organic certification. And even personal care products that are USDA certified organic can legally contain chemicals; packaging identifies the percentage of the ingredients by weight that have been certified organic.
The simplest way to try to avoid phthalates is to buy fragrance-free and unscented products (although even these products may contain some chemicals to mask odor). There are a number of baby personal care product manufacturers that make at least some of their products phthalate-free, California Baby, Burt's Bees and Baby's Bliss are just a few. It is best to check the label to be sure it reads "phthalate-free."
The European Union has banned the phthalates DEHP and DBP, so products manufactured and sold in Europe shouldn’t contain these phthalates but they may contain other phthalates such as DEP. In the United States, the FDA regulates personal care products, including cosmetics. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, cosmetics and their ingredients are not required to undergo FDA approval before they are sold to the public. While companies are required to list their ingredients on the label, phthalates are most commonly added to products for fragrance, which is just listed as "fragrance" on the label. You are correct that you won't see phthalates such as dibutylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP), or diethylphthalate (DEP) on the label of personal care items.
Personal care products that are marketed as "natural" can be just about anything, there are no labeling requirements. Companies may also use the word "organic" in the product name or on the label, without complying with the USDA’s organic certification. And even personal care products that are USDA certified organic can legally contain chemicals; packaging identifies the percentage of the ingredients by weight that have been certified organic.
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