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Reading skin care product labels: New Health Canada labeling laws (now similar to U.S. & European laws) Daily baby massage time is an important opportunity to apply the most nourishing and health-promoting, all-natural and organic products on baby's skin.  In order to do this effectively, parents need to familiarize themselves with the labeling requirements on cosmetics manufacturers in their country. Yes, like adult personal care products, baby skin care products fall under "cosmetics".
New Health Canada labeling laws require that all ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products (from adult to baby products) to be listed and labeled as U.S. & European products are, in descending order of volume and according to their “international nomenclature”, rather than their different trade or common names. While at first, the ingredient listings seem more confusing (‘olive oil’ now needs to be stated as ‘OLEA EUROPAEA FRUIT OIL‘) the use of the specific universally-recognized names of ingredients better informs and protects the consumer and allows health professionals to know exactly what substance is in a particular product. For instance, a product label may state it contains ‘aloe’. The new labeling system requires the producer to specify between pure aloe vera leaf powder, named ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF, and an aloe gel made of 55% natural aloe vera gel and a combination of other substances and gels. The nomenclature name for the aloe gel is ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE (AND) GLYCERIN (AND) GLYCERYL ACRYLATE/ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER (AND) PROPYLENE GLYCOL. This is much more informative for both consumers and health professionals! For more information on the new labeling system and Frequently Asked Questions, please visit Health Canada’s website. A list of the priority allergens (peanut, tree nuts, milk, egg, soy, wheat, fish, crustaceans/shellfish, sesame and sulphites) with their associated international nomenclature names is also available on Health Canada's website under Cosmetics. Look for baby skin care products that are free of chemicals, artificial fragrances, dyes, preservatives, mineral oil and potentially allergenic nut oils. Ask producers if their labels have been reviewed by Health Canada and are in compliance with the new labelling laws. A surprising number are not! © 2008 Mashala Baby Organics
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