US FDA warns Lime Crime over unsafe ingredients

Cosmetics brand Lime Crime has been hit by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for allegedly using unsafe ingredients.

Lime Crime’s Velvetines Liquid Matte Lipstick was found to be adulterated or misbranded, during a FDA review.

The lipstick was found to contain a color additive which is unsafe. It specifically contains ferric ferrocyanide and ultramarines, which are only permitted for use in coloring externally applied cosmetics, according to the product label.

The lipsticks come in contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth and these ingredients may cause irritaion.

These color additives therefore may not be used in cosmetic lip products, because such use is not in compliance with the regulations that provide for their use.

FDA said: "[t]he terms externally applied drugs and externally applied cosmetics mean drugs or cosmetics applied only to external parts of the body and not to the lips or any body surface covered by mucous membrane."

Lime Crime sells its products through retail stores across the US, Mexico and Brasil.