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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Scientist defends research which could ban Chanel No.5 key ingredient


The scientist who led the investigation which could see a key ingredient of Chanel No.5 banned has defended his controversial proposals and reinforced the association between allergies and perfume.

 


Dr Ian White, chairman of the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Protection (SCCP), has asserted that the association between allergies and perfumes is "not a trivial problem" and has rubbished claims that the Committee's findings could cause "the death of perfume", as suggested by the French perfumer's society.


Last week, the EU Scientific Committee called for tree moss, which provides the woody notes in Chanel's signature scent and also Dior's Miss Dior fragrance, to be banned outright. They also proposed a list of 100 allergens that should be outlined on perfume packaging and called for the use of 12 common fragrance ingredients to be reduced to just 0.01 per cent. In response, Chanel claimed that, if actioned, the proposals would mean "the end of beautiful perfumes".

However, Dr White, who is a consultant dermatologist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, has now revealed that it would be feasible for Chanel to remove the highly-allergenic ingredient of tree moss without altering the scent's famous smell. "Tree moss contains chemicals which are extreme allergens. The manufacturers know this perfectly well," he told The Independent . "They have funded research to reduce them - they can extract these ingredients so the other constituents of the moss can still be used."

Dr White further backed the Committee's proposals, saying: "This is not to protect people with allergies but to prevent a whole new generation of people developing allergies. Around 1.5 per cent of the population have become allergic to a synthetic chemical, hydroxyisohexyl, which has been widely used in skincare products over the over the past decade. The only thing to do is ban it."


The EU Commissions Directorate General for Health and Consumers is reportedly in talks with the perfume industry to consider the impact of the report, however, the introduction of any new regulations within the industry is not expected until January 2014.

Source: Fashion Telegraph 

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