The FDA does not regulate essential oils, just like it doesn’t regulate herbs or supplements. That means that there is no FDA approval for any essential oil.
It also means that there are no real regulations on the companies that produce essential oils. As long as they don’t market essential oils as if they are medicine or a cure for any issue, they can otherwise say what they like about the products.
But if they say that their product is FDA-approved to do something specific, that is incorrect and they are open to fines and could be shut down.
If your clinic or company sells essential oils, it is important to ensure that you remain in compliance with the law when it comes to marketing.
List of FDA-Approved Essential Oils
Because the FDA does not regulate essential oils, there is no such thing as a list of FDA-approved essential oils.
The FDA regulates cosmetics and drugs, so unless an essential oil is added to a cosmetic product or used in the creation of a medication, it will not fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA.
It’s important to note that it is illegal for an essential oil company or any purveyor to sell essential oils for medical use or as a treatment for any issue. The Federal Trade Commission regulates advertising claims and will intervene in the event that a company crosses the line or if there are complaints against the company.
Essential Oils in the GRAS Database
The FDA manages a database that houses a list of substances that have been determined to be “Generally Recognized as Safe.” There are some substances from which essential oils are made in this database along with a report.
For example, coconut oil is in the GRAS database, making it a safe base for essential oil products. It is important to note that the FDA has deemed all items on the GRAS list generally safe for consumption and that there is no toxic buildup for these items even when ingested in doses that are magnitudes larger than would be expected.
It does not necessarily consider their safe use topically. For example, clove oil is on the GRAS list and safe for consumption, but application of clove oil to the skin will cause inflammation, irritation, and a burning sensation.
Updating Your Essential Oil Marketing to Be Compliant With FTC & FDA Standards
The GRAS list is a continually expanding database to which more and more substances are added each month. New research is regularly done into the function of different essential oils topically and internally.
Florida Healthcare Law Firm can review marketing materials to ensure that they are in compliance with state and federal regulations and protect businesses from lawsuits brought by the government or civilly.
