The latest Which? magazine issues a warning about chemical additives to everyday products. To an article about what to look out for in labels on products in the bathroom cabinet, senior researcher Anna Studman adds:
The chemical content of cosmetics and toiletries is tightly controlled and regulated in the EU, but this isn't the case everywhere. The EU has banned more than 1,600 chemicals for use in personal care products; in the US, it's just 11.
For instance, formaldehyde is no banned in the UK, but you can still find it in some nail varnih and hair-straightening products in the US, despite it being a known carcinogen.
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In the context of Brexit, there are concerns that a trade deal with the US could see the UK market flooded with these harmful chemicals, and we want to make sure consumer safety is protected.
The CTPA [the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery Association which represents manufacturers] told us that it "has engaged with the government to stress that it is crucial that any potential free trade agreement secured with the US does not have a negative impact on the safety of UK consumers or our trading relationship with the EU".
But as with anything Brexit-related, there are no guarantees, so watch this space.
There must be concern that headline success over meat-production standards - which will surely come about because of all the publicity - will mask concessions to the US on less obvious but equally health-threatening items like chemical additives in any trade deal.
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