Labels for Soap favors at Showers, weddings, etc...

Beckis19 · Jul 23, 2010

I've been making soaps as a hobby for about 10 years now, and am planning to start up a business when I become a stay-at-home mom, hopefully next year (we are planning #2, and I can't afford daycare for 2 with my current job).

I want to offer/specialize in soap favors for weddings and showers, and offer complete custom designs for large enough orders.

My question is what are my responsibilities for labelling these type of soaps? I would prefer to have the ingredient list and my company name on each bar (more business, hopefully) but I don't know how conspicious it has to be to be compliant to US laws. Does it have to be visible when you look at the bar, or can it be on the reverse side of the specialized label, i.e. on the back of the front label saying "Ted and Sarah's Wedding"? I know that having the info visible on the outside of the packaging might hinder the "look" of it and some may not want that. :roll:

So, in this instance am I only responsible to give the ingredient list and my company info to the person who purchases the soap, or am I legally bound to provide a list of ingredients and my company info for each soap?

I have seen loafs of soap at Whole Foods and other stores where you slice off what you want and pay by the ounce. There's a card with the info stuck into the soap, but as far as I know no cards are given to those who buy that soap and take it home. So I'm thinking that maybe I just have to provide the info to the buyer???

Thanks all!

Lindy · Jul 28, 2010

I can't speak to the US laws but I can tell you here in Canada where we are regulated under the Cosmetic rules you do have to have the ingredients and contact info legible.

For what you're describing your idea of having the wedding/party info on the front with your info and ingredient listing on the back works perfectly.

Beckis19 · Jul 29, 2010

Yeah... and what makes it even more confusing is I just realized that they don't have ingredient lists on most of the soaps and shampoos you get in your room at the hotel.... :shock:

I might have to fire off an e-mail to the FDA to see what to do, and what's up with the hotel soap thing...

Best Natural Soap · Jul 29, 2010

Be sure to let us know if you get a response-- I've sent more letters to the "contact us" email at the fda's website, and never gotten a response.

Does anyone have an actual contact person there?? I would love a name/email/number.

carebear · Jul 29, 2010

In the US you are not required to list ingredients on SOAP as long as it's sole purpose is cleaning (if you make a therapeutic claim of any sort you are opening a big can of worms). (note that some MP "soap" is really detergent based - and thus requires an ingredient list).