BACKGROUND: The application of preparations containing food allergens can cause percutaneous sensitisation and provocation. The prevalence of food allergens in children's cosmetics is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the prevalence of food allergens in skincare products marketed for children and its association with marketing claims and product price. METHODS: We reviewed 276 skincare product ingredient labels for the presence of milk, eggs, wheat, soy, oats, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame. RESULTS: More than one third (108; 39.1%) of the products listed at least one allergen. A total of 156 allergens were recorded, of which 65 (41.7%) were almonds, 35 (22.4%) wheat, 24 (15.4%) soy, 16 (10.3%) oats, 13 (8.3%) sesame, 2 (1.3%) milk and 1 (0.6%) peanuts. Products that claimed to be natural or ecological were more likely to contain food allergens than those not labelled so (P < .001). The prices were higher for products containing food allergens compared to allergen-free products (P = .028). CONCLUSIONS: Food allergens are prevalent in children's cosmetics, especially those that claim to be natural or ecological. The most incorporated food allergens are almonds, wheat and soy. Products containing food allergens cost more than allergen-free ones. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: The application of preparations containing food allergens can cause percutaneous sensitisation and provocation. The prevalence of food allergens in children's cosmetics is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the prevalence of food allergens in skincare products marketed for children and its association with marketing claims and product price. METHODS: We reviewed 276 skincare product ingredient labels for the presence of milk, eggs, wheat, soy, oats, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame. RESULTS: More than one third (108; 39.1%) of the products listed at least one allergen. A total of 156 allergens were recorded, of which 65 (41.7%) were almonds, 35 (22.4%) wheat, 24 (15.4%) soy, 16 (10.3%) oats, 13 (8.3%) sesame, 2 (1.3%) milk and 1 (0.6%) peanuts. Products that claimed to be natural or ecological were more likely to contain food allergens than those not labelled so (P < .001). The prices were higher for products containing food allergens compared to allergen-free products (P = .028). CONCLUSIONS: Food allergens are prevalent in children's cosmetics, especially those that claim to be natural or ecological. The most incorporated food allergens are almonds, wheat and soy. Products containing food allergens cost more than allergen-free ones. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.