Plaintiffs allege that Coppertone sunscreens are deceptively labeled as “mineral-based” when they contain a larger percentage of chemical active ingredients than mineral active ingredients. On 31 July, California’s Northern District roundly rejected defendants’ motion to dismiss.

The iconic sunscreen brand aims to capitalize on growing demand for mineral sunscreens – widely perceived as consumers’ safest option in sun defense – by positioning offerings that contain mixes of mineral and chemical UV filters as “mineral-based,” according to a suit filed in December in California federal court.

Industry advocates working to support GRASE determinations for eight UV filters are faced with a dilemma. They would like to share nonpublic studies with the FDA on a confidential basis – at least to get initial temperature readings from the agency as to the studies’ usefulness in addressing data gaps – but under the current OTC monograph framework, no such pathway exists.