FDA Sends Warning Letter to Avon

Similar to a warning letter sent to L'Oréal in September for gene, stem cell and skin regeneration claims associated with products from its Lancôme brand, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a warning letter to Avon Products, Inc. on October 5, 2012 about primarily anti-aging and collagen- and elastin-boosting claims made about several of its products on www.avon.com that would constitute the product as drugs, per FDA standards. The FDA notes that the claims on Avon’s website indicate referenced products “are intended to affect the structure or any function of the human body, rendering them drugs” under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Avon products referenced in the letter include Anew Clinical Advanced Wrinkle Corrector, Anew Reversalist Night Renewal Cream, Anew Reversalist Renewal Serum, Anew Clinical Thermafirm Face Lifting Cream, and Solutions Liquid Bra Toning Gel, and the FDA advised the company to review the claims associated with these and other Avon products to ensure that they comply with the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Avon has 15 days from October 5, 2012 to respond to the letter with its plan of action regarding these claims, without which injunctions and seizures may take place.

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