The FDA’s Cosmetics Quiz. Are They Kidding?
Listen, I’m all for boosting consumer awareness about the dangers of cosmetics, but when I came across this featured true or false quiz on the FDA’s website this morning I couldn’t help but laugh (out loud).
Something just isn’t right if we need to have a quiz (that looks like it’s designed for school children) about all of the industry’s lies.
Let’s see how you guys do (no peeking at answers!):
Question 1. FDA MUST APPROVE ALL COSMETICS BEFORE THEY GO ON THE MARKET.
Question 2. USING MASCARA THE WRONG WAY CAN CAUSE EYE INJURIES AND INFECTIONS – EVEN BLINDNESS.
Question 3. IT’S FINE TO USE HAIR DYES ON YOUR EYEBROWS AND EYELASHES. AFTER ALL, THEY’RE HAIR, TOO.
Question 4. TATTOOS USED TO BE PERMANENT, BUT NOW LASERS ARE AN EASY, RELIABLE WAY TO ERASE THEM.
Question 5. “CRUELTY FREE” OR “NOT TESTED IN ANIMALS” MEANS THAT NO ANIMAL TESTING WAS DONE ON THE PRODUCT AND ITS INGREDIENTS.
Question 6a. IF A PRODUCT IS LABELED “ALL NATURAL” OR “ORGANIC,” IT’S PROBABLY HYPOALLERGENIC.
Question 6b. EVEN IF A PRODUCT IS LABELED “HYPOALLERGENIC,” IT MAY CONTAIN SUBSTANCES THAT CAN CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTIONS.
Question 6c. CHOOSING PRODUCTS WITH THE CLAIM “DERMATOLOGIST TESTED” IS A WAY TO AVOID AN ALLERGIC REACTION OR OTHER SKIN IRRITATION.
Sorry we don’t offer you a janky online certificate (that’s mine above!) when you’re through but here are the answers: 1. false 2. true 3. false 4. false 5. false 6a. false 6b. true 6c. false
So how did you score?
Here’s an idea: How about the FDA takes this a little bit more seriously, and actually offers a grownup response to growing consumer awareness around the industry? Just a thought.
Are they kidding?
“Most cosmetics are safe if you use them correctly.” http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/videos/CFSAN/costf/costf.cfm
Seriously???? What, so if you use your makeup correctly, the carcinogenic chemicals that companies are allowed to put in them won’t give you cancer? As opposed to what, using them incorrectly will give you cancer?
I don’t know about you all, but there’s really only one way to use your eyeshadow that I know of LOL. AROUND YOUR EYES!
How about instead of juvenile quizzes they just reform the areas where there are lots of misconceptions.
Yepyep, totally agree.
The FDA is pretty much a joke anyway.
How else would things like aspartame and BPA be legal in the US?
great post!
Hooray! I’m an FDA approved cosmetics consumer! I am totally printing out my certificate right now. :)
I really hope the FDA has no authority over website design.
I saw Botox being touted for neck pain this weekend and thought “tsk, tsk”. Common sense should tell you not to inject yourself with one of the most lethal toxins known to man. Simply unbelievable.
This is crazy. It’s like them accepting that they’re doing a horrible job at keeping us safe, and then giving us a useless test which will make us believe that we’ll be OK if we only know this 6 things.
ComaGirl—my mom knows of someone who got Botox for joint pain, it traveled to her lungs and caused long-term, maybe permanent breathing problems. x(