A leisurely bath can be both relaxing and invigorating, and bath bombs with delightful scents are popular among children and adults alike. The Consumer Council tested 17 models of bath bombs, including 8 models with small gifts, 7 of which appeared only after it dissolved in water. All gifts contained small parts that could be swallowed by young children, posing choking hazards, yet 5 had no labelling in either Chinese or English on recommended user age and safety warnings. On the other hand, as bath bombs come into direct contact with the skin during bathing, the safety level of their chemical composition is crucial to consumers’ health. Tests results revealed that about half (9) of the models were detected with fragrance allergens, among which 7 contained 1 fragrance allergen, all at concentrations less than 0.01%, which is lower than the labelling requirement stipulated in the current European Union (EU) Cosmetics Regulation. 2 models from Hong Kong or the United States (US) were found to contain fragrance allergen in concentrations higher than 0.01% but were not labelled in the list of ingredients probably because there are no relevant requirements in the respective markets. Although at present there is no specific safety requirements for bath bombs in Hong Kong, the Council urges suppliers to improve transparency of product information by providing clear bilingual labels and warnings in Chinese and English for parents’ reference, to reduce the risk of use by young children. Information such as ingredient lists and expiry dates, etc. should also be provided to fully safeguard consumers’ health and their right to be informed.
The Council sourced 17 models of bath bombs from different retailers, priced between $12 and $299 per pack and $12 to $100 per piece, a difference of over 7 times. Tests were conducted with reference to the EU Cosmetics Regulation for chemical safety, as well as the EU toy safety standard EN 71-1 for the mechanical and physical safety of accompanying small gifts. Overall, 7 models (priced from $37 to $99.7 per piece) scored 4.5 points or above, reflecting that there are good choices regardless of the price.
8 Contained Small Parts but 5 Needed to Add Warnings
Some bath bombs may come with fun small gifts, which may be appealing to children. 8 tested models were accompanied with small gifts, 7 of which the gift appeared after dissolving in water, while the remaining 1 had a bathroom wall sticker in the product package.
Tests were conducted with reference to the EU toy safety standard EN 71-1 to assess the mechanical and physical safety of the gifts. 5 models were not labelled in either Chinese or English with relevant warnings such as the suitable user age or “not suitable for children under 3”, etc. Referencing the age determination guidelines for toys, the laboratory assessed that these gifts belonged in the toy category suitable for use by children aged 12 months or above. However, the sizes of gifts accompanied in all 5 models could be classified as small parts, which is non-compliant with the EN 71-1 requirement that no small parts should be found in toys intended for children under the age of 36 months. Unguarded consumers may let their young children play with these toys, potentially exposing them to risks of accidental swallowing which may result in suffocation. The other 3 models also contained small parts either before or after the abuse test, but they were labelled with warnings such as “not suitable for children under 3” or “choking hazard” in both Chinese and English on the packaging to remind consumers not to allow young children to use these products.
Although bath bombs are sold as bath products (i.e. cosmetics), the accompanying gifts may also pique a child's interest. The Council advises suppliers to clearly indicate on the packaging, in both English and Chinese, that these products are not for children under the age of 3, and that they contain small parts that may pose choking and suffocation risks, in order to protect their safety.
Fragrance Allergens Detected in Around Half the Models
Concentration Generally Not High
Many bath products contain natural plant-derived or synthetic fragrances, some of which may trigger contact allergy reactions and cause allergic contact dermatitis. The chemical safety tests covered 28 fragrance allergens regulated by the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Fragrance allergens were detected in about 50% of the models (9 models), among which 7 were found with 1 fragrance allergen but the concentration was less than 0.01%, which is lower than EU’s requirement for inclusion in ingredients list labelling. The remaining 2 models were found to contain 2 and 4 fragrance allergens respectively, with benzyl benzoate at concentrations of 0.024% and 0.36%, which would require labelling according to EU stipulations. However, both these 2 models did not label the chemical in their lists of ingredients, which may be due to the lack of such labelling requirements in their places of origin (Hong Kong and the US).
Bath bombs are usually used in bathtubs so concentration of the relevant fragrance allergens would be diluted considerably, thus the risk of allergic reactions should not be high. However, parents should be aware that unlike showering products such as shampoo and shower gel, children may play in the water for a longer time and a sizeable area of their body would be in contact with the dissolved bath bombs for an extended period, which may increase the risk of allergic reactions. The Council recommends manufacturers to strictly control and regularly test their products for fragrance allergens and other harmful chemicals, improve product information transparency, and provide bilingual labels on directions for use, such as the minimum litres of water to be used for diluting fragrance concentration, and label fragrance allergens on the ingredient lists, so as to enable consumers to make informed choices.
Improvement Needed for Labelling Information Transparency
In addition to improvements needed in warnings and directions for use in some models, 12 had no indication of validity periods such as the expiry date, while 8 did not have a list of ingredients in either Chinese or English, making it difficult for consumers to receive crucial information. In addition, 10 models provided no contact information of local suppliers, or only listed its name without contact methods, making it difficult for consumers to seek assistance from the companies concerned in case of quality or product usage issues. The Council calls on suppliers to follow up and improve promptly.
Baths generally use more water than showers. To conserve water and practise sustainable living, showering should be the mainstay of daily life, and the duration should be less than 4 minutes. Consumers can refer to the following tips for an occasional indulgent soak:
- Read and follow product instructions to ensure clear understanding of recommended user age, storage method, warnings, and expiry date;
- Children should be accompanied by an adult when using bath bombs and their reactions should be monitored in a timely manner. In case of skin discomfort, cease use and consult a doctor immediately;
- Avoid using bath bombs along with other personal cleansing products; rinse thoroughly after baths to wash away chemical residue on the skin;
- Individuals with eczema or prone to allergies should avoid excessive contact with moisture so showers are more preferable; prolonged soaking in hot water may damage the protective layer of sebum, so the recommended bathing time should be no longer than 15 minutes.
Download the article (Chinese only): https://ccchoice.org/582-bath-bomb
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