EU scientists voice concerns about hydrolysed wheat proteins

Published: 8-Sep-2014

The use of hydrolysed wheat proteins in soap could be unsafe for consumers, causing sensitisation, but has been deemed safe for use in other personal care products, reports Keith Nuthall


 

The European Union’s (EU) scientific committee on consumer safety has concluded that the use of hydrolysed wheat proteins to make soaps and liquid soaps can be unsafe for consumers – causing sensitisation. However, following an extensive review of the problem, the committee has said it is safe to use hydrolysed wheat proteins as an ingredient for other personal care products.

A common ingredient, the inquiry followed alerts from several EU member states highlighting safety problems regarding cosmetic products containing hydrolysed wheat protein. A committee note said there had been several cases of contact urticaria caused by such products. However, with the exception of an ‘epidemic’ in Japan associated with one product, it said data indicated “the overall risk of sensitisation to hydrolysed wheat proteins (HWP) appears to be low.” It added that there is evidence “to indicate that the risk of sensitisation is higher when HWP’s are used on the skin as an ingredient in soaps and liquid soaps; this combination can lead to sensitisation.” One potential problem is that the use of hydrolysed wheat proteins in cosmetic products is not currently regulated under the EU cosmetics regulation, although the report did not recommend amendments to the legislation.

See full report: http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_160.pdf

 

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