T-23: Adherence to Standardized INCI Labeling Practices in Twenty One Natural or Organic Global Consumer Baby Products

Poster Presenter

Christopher Varghese

Post Doctoral Fellow, Global Scientific Engagement, Johnson & Johnson
Rutgers University
United States

Objectives

To assess consumer baby products (toiletries) for adherence to the International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) standards. Listed ingredients were the classified as either: “correct”, “incorrect/incomplete”, or absent from the INCI list.

Method

When, where, and how was the study was done? What materials were used or who was included in the study? Ingredients transcribed into a digital composite and assessed against repository of accepted INCI terminologies. Ingredient names flagged were “expanding” “incorrect/incomplete” or simply not on INCI’s list of acceptable ingredient terms. Additional Authors: David Mays PharmD, Michael Toscani

Results

In totality, 21 products and 437 individual ingredients were assessed. All products failed to adhere to INCI standards. An assessment of individual listed ingredients for each product found that companies were using a combination of INCI and Non-INCI terms to describe individual ingredients. Of ingredients included, 57% were correctly labeled in accordance with INCI standards. X% had overall incorrect/incomplete ingredient listings, finally X% were not like any ingredient listed on the INCI repository. The most common type of labeling mistake was discovered to be due to the use of expanded terminology to describe ingredients thus making them non-INCI compliant but potentially more consumer friendly. The most commonly misused ingredient was Butyrospermum Parkii.

Conclusion

Many companies desire to make organic and natural claims. The International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients aims to reduce confusion for consumers, patients and healthcare providers by creating internationally approved names of all ingredients that are allowed in consumer products. INCI-abiding labeling is mandatory in Europe and his highly supported in other regions. The cosmetic companies assessed were found to be more commonly expanding on their ingredient list by explaining what certain ingredients function as (i.e. Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (Coconut-Based Cleanser). It is assumed that this is done to help the consumer understand ingredient function. However this also makes ingredient labeling unstandardized and allows for disorganization and confusion when selecting products that may or may not include certain ingredients. This study shows that consumers and HCPs need more education in ingredient function but also that the ingredient list is not the best medium to impart this education