FDA tells kids to stop having Fun

Fun Express is recalling six colors of children's face paint following "cluster" of adverse events reported to FDA. Agency says all exposures - which resulted in rashes, itchiness, burning and swelling - occurred on the same day at an organized event. An FDA laboratory has tested and confirmed "significant microbial contamination" in most of the products, according to May 12 release. Face paints were manufactured by Shanghai Color Art Stationery Company Limited in China and distributed by Oriental Trading Co. of Omaha, Neb., which owns Fun Express and whose name appears on product labeling. FDA's cosmetics office issued a notice in fall 2007 advising parents to compare ingredient lists on Halloween face paint and other novelty makeup items against agency's summary of approved color additives to avoid adverse skin reactions (1"The Rose Sheet" Oct. 29, 2007, In Brief)