Unilever settles class-action suits in three states related to alleged injuries from use of its Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30-Day Smoothing Kit, which plaintiffs claim was a powerful chemical relaxer rather than a non-toxic conditioning system as advertised. The firm will establish funds totaling more than $10 million to reimburse consumers for purchases and medical expenses.

When FDA inspects a facility producing both drugs and cosmetics, the manufacturer should be using one standard and that’s the drug standard, says Karyn Campbell, director of the investigations branch at FDA’s Philadelphia District Office.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel issued a final safety assessment for formaldehyde/methylene glycol at its Sept. 26-27 meeting – declaring the ingredient unsafe for use in heated hair-smoothing products – after grappling with questions concerning its role and the information it should consider when evaluating cosmetic substances.