Food coloring

[DWinMadison]

can you color transparent soap with food coloring without staining towels and skin?

 

[jcandleattic]

Depends on the type of food coloring, however, they are not fda regulated for use in soap, so you wouldn't be able to sell them and could only use them for personal use.
There are so many inexpensive micas out there that are so beautiful and have every color under the sun, I don't know why you would want to use food coloring though...

 

[Steve85569]

And they tend to morph into different colors than you expect...

 

[DWinMadison]

Depends on the type of food coloring, however, they are not fda regulated for use in soap, so you wouldn't be able to sell them and could only use them for personal use.
There are so many inexpensive micas out there that are so beautiful and have every color under the sun, I don't know why you would want to use food coloring though...

I have tons of micas, and yes they are beautiful, but the particles become suspended in the soap making it cloudier than liquid colorants (so I’ve read). I could order a liquid colorant, but wouldn’t have a ton of other uses for it. I thought soap was regulated by U.S. Product Safety Commission unless you claim that it has some cosmetic or therapeutic value or property.

 

[earlene]

I have tons of micas, and yes they are beautiful, but the particles become suspended in the soap making it cloudier than liquid colorants (so I’ve read). I could order a liquid colorant, but wouldn’t have a ton of other uses for it. I thought soap was regulated by U.S. Product Safety Commission unless you claim that it has some cosmetic or therapeutic value or property.

Also soap sellers have to comply with the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and Consumer Protection Safe Commission’s regulations.

Some helpful links on this topic:

https://www.mariegale.com/natural-colorants-soap-cosmetics/

https://nurturesoap.com/blogs/soap-making-rules/reading-the-fda-color-tables

https://www.soapguild.org/handcrafters/advocacy/overview.php

https://www.modernsoapmaking.com/tag/regulations/

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rul...eform-proceedings/fair-packaging-labeling-act

The topic is complex and there is no really simple answer to the question; also changes are on the horizon in regards to soap as a consumer product in the US. There are bills in Congress addressing issues that pertain to protecting and safeguarding the public who purchase and use personal care products. I would hope for more clarity to some of the complexities and belief by soap some makers that they are exempt from the regulatory process, when in fact, soap is truly a personal care product. That is my opinion, of course, but there are so many people who suffer from ill effects of some commercial soaps that they came here to learn how to make products they or their families can safely use, I doubt I am the only one who feels this way.

 

[DWinMadison]

Also soap sellers have to comply with the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and Consumer Protection Safe Commission’s regulations.

Some helpful links on this topic:

https://www.mariegale.com/natural-colorants-soap-cosmetics/

https://nurturesoap.com/blogs/soap-making-rules/reading-the-fda-color-tables

https://www.soapguild.org/handcrafters/advocacy/overview.php

https://www.modernsoapmaking.com/tag/regulations/

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rul...eform-proceedings/fair-packaging-labeling-act

The topic is complex and there is no really simple answer to the question; also changes are on the horizon in regards to soap as a consumer product in the US. There are bills in Congress addressing issues that pertain to protecting and safeguarding the public who purchase and use personal care products. I would hope for more clarity to some of the complexities and belief by soap some makers that they are exempt from the regulatory process, when in fact, soap is truly a personal care product. That is my opinion, of course, but there are so many people who suffer from ill effects of some commercial soaps that they came here to learn how to make products they or their families can safely use, I doubt I am the only one who feels this way.

Many thanks. I was talking to a vendor this past weekend who was selling bentonite clay at the framer's market. He was telling me how it treats everything from herpes to cancer, so of course I bought some (um...not because I have either of those particular conditions, but) just because I needed some bentonite clay . Then, I'm driving home thinking, "What if this is just plain old dirt?"

 

[Steve85569]

Well drillers mud - bentonite clay.
We have "dirt" here that is from the Mt. Mazama eruption ( Crater Lake) that comes in bands up to 6 feet thick.

Sorry about the hijack.
Back to the original thread....

 

[MGM]

Then, I'm driving home thinking, "What if this is just plain old dirt?"

Could be worse: could be contaminated dirt and you wouldn't know. Hopefully contaminated with something strong enough to kill the cancerous herpes...