Is the Blowout Behind Us?

We just recently became aware of this letter from the FDA regarding a hair product called the Brazilian Blowout. The letter was sent to the manufacturers.

Here’s an excerpt:

Brazilian Blowout is misbranded because its label and labeling (including instructions for use) makes misleading statements regarding the product’s ingredients and fails to reveal material facts with respect to consequences that may result from the use of the product. Specifically, Brazilian Blowout contains the liquid form of formaldehyde, methylene glycol; however, the product label declares that the product contains “No Formaldehyde” or is “Formaldehyde Free.” This declaration renders your product misbranded because it is a false and misleading statement. In addition, the failure to include information about the release of formaldehyde into the air during the heating process on the product’s label or labeling makes your product misbranded because you fail to reveal material facts with respect to consequences that may result from the use of your product under the conditions of use prescribed in the labels or labeling.

This is an issue OHSU has been following for some time because OHSU’s Center for Research on Environmental Toxicology and Oregon OSHA put a lot of hours into investigating the safety of this product.

I see CROET has also posted something on their blog – see here.

The Oregonian has covered the story repeatedly over the past months. Here are a couple links to the paper’s coverage:

Oct 2010: After hairstylist becomes suspicious of Brazilian Blowout, tests find formaldehyde

Nov. 2010: California sues Brazilian Blowout over high levels of formaldehyde initially found in Oregon

The story appears to have reached it’s end…or has it?