Background

Several Member States have recently indicated safety problems in relation to cosmetic products containing hydrolysed wheat protein. Several cases of contact urticaria provoked by these cosmetic products, followed by anaphylactic shock after the ingestion of food containing wheat proteins, have been recently reported.

In its first Opinion, the SCCS concluded:
'The SCCS is of the opinion that,
In view of the numbers of reported cases of immediate-type contact urticarial and systemic allergic reactions, the overall risk of sensitization to Hydrolysed Wheat Proteins (HWP) appears to be low, with the exception of an ‘epidemic’ in Japan associated with one particular product.
Scientific concerns with regard to the use of HWP in cosmetic products include that
• there is evidence that sensitisation to HWP is via exposure to cosmetics, not via food
• there is evidence to indicate that the risk of sensitisation is higher when HWP’s are used on the skin as an ingredient in soaps and liquid soaps; this combination can lead to sensitisation.
The SCCS considers the use of hydrolysed wheat proteins safe for consumers in cosmetic products except in soaps and liquid soaps.'

For exhaustive background information, see the article
• SCCS 6th plenary meeting: 4 Opinions …