DECO said on Thursday that the packaging of hair products from the new Fructis range could be confused with fruit bags for children, and reminded that the law prohibits “dangerous imitations”.
The complaint was sent to Infarmed and ASAE, a source at the consumer protection association told Agência Lusa, according to which the law was not being respected.
In an article published this Thursday, DECO PROteste mentions the new packaging of the hair care line “Hair Booster” (protein, vitamin C and amino acids) of the Fructis brand from Garnier, sold by L’Oréal.
“Under national and European legislation, the production, import, export or marketing of products known as ‘dangerous imitations’, such as cosmetics that could be confused with food, is prohibited. Thus, products that, although not food, may in any way mislead consumers by their appearance, packaging, labeling or color,” the text says.
Despite a label that reads “Keep out of reach of children without supervision” and “Do not ingest”, the warnings “appear to be insufficient” given that the package’s appearance is very similar to a bag of fruit, same source highlighted.
In a DECO update, L’Oréal said flexible pouch packaging is becoming increasingly common in the cosmetics industry due to its environmental impact, and that it is likely that use of the format will increase across product categories.
The company also said that there is no mention of food on the packaging and that it requires “some effort” to open, unlike food packages.
While these types of refill packaging are becoming more common, they typically come in a different format and capacity than food products, Deco said.
The range of products in question has a shape, color and volume that, according to Decaux, “could easily be confused with fruit bags for children” who could open and swallow them: “The amount of hair products contained in the package can be used several times. Therefore, from the first use, you no longer have to open the mouthpiece of the package, which makes it more accessible to the child.”
In addition to the Office of Food and Economic Security (ASAE) and Infarmed, Decaux also informed the General Directorate of Consumer Protection about the case.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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