Desert Essence tea tree oil products are subject of FDA warning letter.
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
DESERT ESSENCE TEA TREE OIL PRODUCTS ARE UNAPPROVED "NEW DRUGS," FDA said in an Oct. 3 warning letter to the Chatsworth, Conn.-based personal care products company. Based on anti-acne claims made for Desert Essence cleansing soap, anti-bacterial facial wash and anti-bacterial blemish treatment as well as anti-gingivitis claims made for the toothpaste and mouthwash, FDA said it considers the products "to be `new drugs'...which may not be introduced...into interstate commerce" without an approved new drug application.