FDA Warns Consumers About Infection Risks Of Some Tattoo Inks, Kits

Earlier this month, FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, which oversees the regulation of cosmetics in addition to foods, issued a constituent update warning consumers about the risks of bacterial contamination in certain unopened bottles of tattoo ink and kits used for in-home tattooing. These products are considered cosmetics under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Though FDA does not often take regulatory action with regard to cosmetics, the Agency is responding to reports of infection associated with inks and kits marketed by a certain manufacturer, which recalled several products last month. FDA's public warning advises tattoo artists and consumers to be aware of the origin of their materials and to avoid kits that do not list a brand name or the manufacturer's place of business. Users should also contact manufacturers with any concerns about product contamination or adverse events.