link to the updated FDA page about henna

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Posted by BarefootSophie on August 15, 2001 at 22:56:59:

In reply to: natural henna and the fda...are we going out of business? posted by Amy:-) on August 15, 2001 at 21:56:13:

It's a pretty interesting read. Think it'd be worth writing to the FDA
about. The "import alert" that's out on henna is based on a mistaken
assumption I found in this section of the report:

************************************
Henna, a coloring made from a plant, is approved only for use as a
hair dye, not for direct application to the skin, as in the body
decorating process known as mehndi. This unapproved use of a color
additive makes these products adulterated and therefore illegal.
************************************
Since henna typically produces a brown, orange-brown, or reddish-brown
tint, other ingredients must be added to produce other colors, such as
those marketed as "black henna" and "blue henna."
************************************
Both of these statements assume that all henna products contain some
sort of color additive. And since it will be much easier to ban the
stuff altogether rather than have to check each brand and see whether
it's "the good stuff" or not, the FDA may be planning to throw the
baby out with the bathwater.

The article does contain something of worth to us:
************************************
To contact FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, call 1-202-401-9725.
You also may send your report in writing to:

FDA
Office of Cosmetics and Colors
HFS-100
200 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20204
************************************

Perhaps if enough of us were to present our cases for PURE henna (and
if those among us armed with their own extensive research should
present it to them... not that I'm nominating anyone in particular --
definitely not trying to insinuate it should be someone whose name
starts with "C..." and ends in "...atherine Cartwright Jones") it
might give them cause to reconsider their pending across-the-board ban
on henna.

Sophie

FDA page regarding henna and temporary tattoos

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: It's a pretty interesting read. Think it'd be worth writing to the FDA : about. The "import alert" that's out on henna is based on a mistaken : assumption I found in this section of the report: : : ********************************** : Henna, a coloring made from a plant, is approved only for use as a : hair dye, not for direct application to the skin, as in the body : decorating process known as mehndi. This unapproved use of a color : additive makes these products adulterated and therefore illegal. : ******************************** : Since henna typically produces a brown, orange-brown, or reddish-brown : tint, other ingredients must be added to produce other colors, such as : those marketed as "black henna" and "blue henna." : ******************************** : Both of these statements assume that all henna products contain some : sort of color additive. And since it will be much easier to ban the : stuff altogether rather than have to check each brand and see whether : it's "the good stuff" or not, the FDA may be planning to throw the : baby out with the bathwater. : : The article does contain something of worth to us: : ******************************** : To contact FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, call 1-202-401-9725. : You also may send your report in writing to: : : FDA : Office of Cosmetics and Colors : HFS-100 : 200 C Street SW : Washington, DC 20204 : ********************************** : : Perhaps if enough of us were to present our cases for PURE henna (and : if those among us armed with their own extensive research should : present it to them... not that I'm nominating anyone in particular -- : definitely not trying to insinuate it should be someone whose name : starts with "C..." and ends in "...atherine Cartwright Jones") it : might give them cause to reconsider their pending across-the-board ban : on henna. : : Sophie
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