Information
September 2005
Traditional kohl products contain lead
Origins of Traditional Kohl
Traditional kohl was originally made from the ash of frankincense, an aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees. It was later made from powdered antimony, a silvery-white earth metal. As antimony became scarce and therefore expensive, other metallic elements were used in its place. These products have since been found to contain lead, arsenic, phosphates and other impurities.
Traditional Kohl Products Contravene Canada's Food and Drugs Act.
To be sold in Canada, the Natural Health Products Regulations require natural health products to have a valid market authorization in the form of an eight digit number proceeded by acronym NPN or DIN-HM. Natural health products without this on the label have not been reviewed and approved for safety and efficacy by Health Canada. To date, Health Canada has not received any kohl product submissions for approval, and no kohl product is approved as a natural health product in Canada.
Similarly, for any cosmetic product to be sold in Canada, Health Canada must be notified of the product's ingredients, to ensure they comply with the regulations. Lead is forbidden and therefore any kohl product containing lead would be too. To date, Health Canada has not been notified of any traditional kohl product.
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