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Are Soap Ingredients Required to be Listed on a Package?

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Are Soap Ingredients Required to be Listed on a Package?

Question

What is the law regarding ingredient listing on bar soap packaging? If the ingredients are listed inside the packaging, do they also need to be on the outside of the box? Also, does the net weight need to be outside as well?

Answer

Generally, required information about a product must be on the label of the outer package that is seen by consumers at retail. However, specific labeling requirements for a soap product depend on whether it meets the regulatory definition of soap, or if it is considered a cosmetic or drug or both based on its intended use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publication, Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?), which was updated April 30, 2012, discusses the laws and regulations governing cosmetics and drugs, including labeling requirements.

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