Use of Fragrance in Little Tree Vent Liquid made it toxic and carcinogenic? Check the facts.

Little Tree Vent Liquid is a compact and convenient air freshener designed to clip onto your car’s air vent. It gives an aromatic experience using liquid scent for long-lasting freshness. But recently, consumers have raised their concern over the use of fragrance, an ingredient in the product. 

Social media users are pointing out that Little Tree Vent Liquid uses fragrance in the products which are toxic and carcinogenic. The claim says that fragrance alone has many other ingredients in it which are not disclosed due to IP laws. Fragrance itself is a hormone disruptor and carcinogen.  

However, Fact Crescendo found the claim to be false. Fragrances have been approved in cosmetics and other personal care products by safety authorities. Little Tree Vent Liquid is safe to use.

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Fact Check – 

What is Fragrance: Fragrance is not just one simple ingredient. It is made using various ingredients to give a pleasant and sweet smell to the products or food. It is used to make the products smell better. 

Is Fragrance Toxic and Harmful to Human: 

According to Cancer Council Australia, there is no scientific evidence that fragranced products such as perfumes, scented toilet paper, or baby wipes cause cancer in humans. Although some fragrance ingredients have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals, but only at concentrations many times higher than those used in consumer products. Thousands of different chemicals are used to make fragrances, and each fragrance is a mix of many of these chemicals. Experts and safety groups check and test these chemicals to make sure they are safe to use

Fragrance ingredients, including diethyl phthalate (DEP), are regularly tested for safety. In 2002, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel confirmed that DEP is safe in the amounts used in cosmetics. The safety of fragrance chemicals is evaluated by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), which follows a four-step process to assess risks, exposure levels, and safe limits. Based on this research, the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) sets guidelines that ban or limit certain ingredients if needed. A recent study found that people who use a lot of scented products are exposed to these chemicals at levels far below what is considered harmful.

According to a report, fragrances in cosmetic products are regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), granting the FDA authority to ensure safety. But, products like laundry detergents and air fresheners with fragrances are overseen by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). While most cosmetic ingredients must be individually listed, fragrances are treated as a trade secret and are labelled as “fragrance” on the product. In the European Union (EU), fragrances are labelled as “parfum,” but if certain allergens are present in specified amounts, they must be listed separately.

Why Ingredients Used to Manufacture Fragrance are Not Labeled?

Fragrance and flavor formulas are complex mixtures of many different natural and synthetic chemical ingredients, and they are the kinds of cosmetic components that are most likely to be trade secrets. FDA requires the list of ingredients under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA). But, this law is not allowed to be used to force a company to tell “trade secrets. 

Companies and individuals who manufacture or market cosmetics and other products containing fragrances have a legal responsibility for ensuring that their products are safe and properly labeled.

Conclusion: 

Fact Crescendo found the claim to be false. Fragrance in Little Tree Vent Liquid meets safety standards and the product is safe to use. The regulatory bodies found that the amount of fragrances used in products are far below the alarming level.