Contaminated cosmetics

Contaminated Cosmetics

A New Jersey cosmetic manufacturer has recalled eye makeup made during the past two years because of possible contamination with bacteria and mold.

Tests by FDA found harmful bacteria that could cause serious eye injuries--even blindness--in samples of blue and brown mascara manufactured by Tori Laboratories Inc. of Perth Amboy, N.J. Samples of Tori's eye liner and eye shadow also were found to contain bacteria and mold.

The mascara, liquid eye liners, and eye shadows were sole in bulk and in consumer-size units under the brand names Ana Orsini, Annabelle, Eve's, Lauren's, and On Stage Cosmetics. The products also may have been sold under distributors' labels, which include AOR Cosmetics of Brooklyn, N.Y., Regent Industries of Montreal, Canada, Gem International of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Make Up Center Ltd. of Hackensack, N.J. Tori does not use lot numbers.

The recalled mascara is packaged in quarter-ounce plastic tubes with a mascara brush and comes in pink, black, blue and brown. The liquid eye liner comes in various colors and is packaged in quarter-ounce plastic tubes with an applicator brush. The powder eye shadow, also in various colors, comes in a plastic compact with no brush.

According to Tori, which also does business as Torre Laboratories Inc., the cosmetics were distributed to 44 customers--beauty salons, discount and department stores, skin-care clinics, and cosmetics distributors--in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, California, Puerto Rico and Canada.

An inspection by New Jersey officials of Tori's plant in Perth Amboy in early February revealed numerous unsanitary conditions that could pose a public health hazard. The firm voluntarily closed the plant.

Although FDA has received no reports of injury, consumers should return these products to the place of purchase.

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