Why The Cosmetics Industry Is So Poorly Regulated

Air Date:
Heard On The Morning Show
In this Jan. 23, 2013 photo, an employee applies make-up on a client at the Sephora store in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A flush new middle class and a population strong on working adults is dropping major cash on designer shampoos, lotions and cosmetics, rapidly turning this country into a beauty industry powerhouse. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

The last time the cosmetics industry faced governmental regulation was 80 years ago, when Congress passed the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act in 1938. The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t have the power to force a recall of a cosmetics or personal care product that’s been found to be harmful. And cosmetics manufacturers aren’t required to share customer complaints with the FDA. All of this is a far cry from how food products and drugs are regulated — but all that might change because two bills circulating on the Senate floor (and a little help from a Kardashian).

Episode Credits

  • Kate Archer Kent Host
  • Colleen Leahy Producer
  • Cheryl Wischhover Guest