Food and Drug Organization's Red Line on Cosmetic and Hygiene Products

Head of the Food and Drug Organization stressed the need to counter unscientific claims about cosmetic and hygiene products.

According to Ambassador Arjan Mehdi Pirsalehi, at the 8th International Exhibition of Cosmetic, Hygiene and Detergent Products, Iran Cosmetics, he said: Despite the economic problems and the country's special political conditions, Iran Pharmax, Iran Pharma, Iran Fashion and Iran Cosmetics exhibitions were held this month, which shows the dynamism of the country's industrial and specialized capacities and the efforts of activists in this field to continue production, development and innovation.

Referring to the measures taken to facilitate the activities of the cosmetics and health industry, he added: In order to reduce bureaucracy and prevent repeated tests, a memorandum of understanding has been concluded with the National Standard Organization so that the tests are done once and companies do not have to repeat laboratory and administrative processes to obtain similar permits.

The head of the Food and Drug Organization emphasized the necessity of dealing with unscientific claims about cosmetics and health products and clarified: Dealing with these claims, in addition to protecting people's health, is an action to support the industry; Because companies that operate according to the rules and include their product information according to legal requirements, should not suffer in the competition with unproven claims.

Pirsalehi continued: Some non-scientific claims are published in cyberspace and other platforms with the aim of increasing sales or destroying competitors, while they have no proof. The Food and Drug Organization is serious in dealing with these cases to protect the rights of consumers and law-abiding producers.

Announcing the readiness of the Food and Drug Organization to cooperate in the reform of the standards and regulations required by the industry, he said: We are with the industry activists in the path of reforming the regulations that help to improve production activities, and in difficult economic conditions, we are working to improve production and provide people with access to high-quality products.

Pointing to some interventions of unrelated institutions in the field of health-oriented products, Pirsalehi said: sometimes comments are made about issues that are not within the specialized responsibility of some institutions; Among other things, health-oriented products are expected to enter the country without sufficient supervision, issuance of IRC code and source registration.

He emphasized: health-oriented products are different from other imported goods and cannot be expected to enter the country without complying with specialized and regulatory requirements; Because the health of these products is directly related to the health of consumers.

Pointing to the necessity of cost management and the use of different supply capacities, Pirsalehi noted: Even in cases where methods such as bulk imports are used to control costs, it is necessary to comply with the necessary criteria to guarantee the quality and health of the products. Facilitating supply and import processes does not mean abandoning health-oriented requirements.

The head of the Food and Drug Organization stated: the red line of the Food and Drug Organization is the health of the products; Both the products that are produced inside the country and the products that are imported from abroad.

Emphasizing the necessity of creating a balance between supporting the industry and protecting the health of the people, he said: "The country's industry is very important and we must work to promote it, but supporting production must be accompanied by promoting health." One cannot be emphasized and the other ignored; Rather, consumer security and industry growth must be achieved simultaneously.

In the end, Pirsalehi emphasized the support of knowledge-based companies and groups active in the field of innovation and stated: Food and Drug Organization will support companies that invest in research and development and offer innovative products to the market, and will be by their side to improve the quality of products and develop the country's industry.

He said: The approach of the Food and Drug Organization in the field of cosmetics and health products is to facilitate the legal activities of the industry, support innovation and domestic production, and protect the health of consumers at the same time.