Fragrances are substances possessing strong-smelling organic compounds that have characteristic, pleasant odors. They are used in many products as a perfume, and sometimes a fragrance ingredient can be a flavor ingredient because flavors and fragrances use similar chemical messengers in our body. Fragrance is defined by the FDA as a combination of chemicals that gives each perfume or cologne (including those used in other products) its distinct scent. Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials, and companies that manufacture perfume or cologne purchase fragrance mixtures from fragrance houses to develop their own proprietary blends. In addition to “scent” chemicals that create the fragrance, perfumes and colognes also contain solvents, stabilizers, UV-absorbers, preservatives, and dyes. These additives are frequently, but not always, listed on product labels. In contrast, the chemical components in fragrance itself are protected as trade secrets and described on the label only as “fragrance”.
While most fragrance chemicals are not disclosed, some are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies, and sensitivities. Some fragrances are carcinogens, mutagens, and toxic to reproduction (CMR substances), thus classified with H341, H351, or H360. Fragrance gets a free pass under the law, and its the only ingredient thats allowed to hide under a cloud of rose petals and doesn’t have to say what it really is. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the self-regulating global representative body of the fragrance industry, meaning they set their safety standards and regulations. In a small effort toward transparency, their website has a comprehensive list of over 3000 ingredients used as fragrance compounds. However, many of these chemicals lack substantial research and safety data, and some have been associated with serious negative health effects.
Positive:
- Fragrances can provide characteristic, pleasant odors to many products.
Negative:
- Fragrance chemicals are often not disclosed, and some are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies, and sensitivities.
- Fragrance gets a free pass under the law, and its the only ingredient thats allowed to hide under a cloud of rose petals and doesn’t have to say what it really is.
- Many fragrance chemicals lack substantial research and safety data, and some have been associated with serious negative health effects[[6]](https://www.ncbi....
