The similarity of the packaging had been denounced by DECO last June, when it warned that they could be confused with fruit sachets, remembering that the law prohibits “dangerous imitations”.
Hair product packaging resembling fruit sachets for children has been withdrawn from the market in and diligence by authorities.
The withdrawal from the market of “all units” of the products, a DECO source told Lusa, was communicated by the National Authority for Medicines and Health Products – Infarmed.
The similarity of the packaging of Fructis brand hair products had been denounced by DECO, a consumer protection association, last June, when it warned that they could be confused with fruit sachets, remembering that the .
The complaint was sent at the time to Infarmed and the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE).
In August, Infarmed contacted the company asking it to make the “necessary corrections”.
According to the information sent to Lusa by the association, Infarmed explained that after contact with the distribution company, L’Oreal Portugal, the respective inspection action was initiated so that the company could take measures to correct “the non-compliance found in the national market” in relation to the packaging of the hair care line ´Hair Booster´, from Fructis.
“After evaluating the respective measures proposed and adopted by the company L’Oreal Portugal, Unipessoal Lda., in particular the withdrawal from the national market of all units of the aforementioned products, we inform that the process was considered completed”, informed Infarmed.
In an article published in June, DECO pointed the finger at the new packaging of the hair care line ‘Hair Booster’ (Protein, Vitamin C and Amino Acid) from the Fructis brand, from Garnier, sold by L’Oréal.
“According to national and European legislation, the manufacture, import, export or marketing of products known as ‘dangerous imitations’, such as cosmetics that could be confused with food, is prohibited. Therefore, products that, although not food, may, in any way mislead consumers by its appearance, packaging, labeling or color”, the text read.
Despite the label stating “Keep out of the reach of young children without supervision” and “Do not ingest”, the warnings “appear to be insufficient”, given the appearance of the packaging being very similar to that of a fruit sachet, thus highlighting the association of consumer protection.
