Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream Recall

Yet another post about a recall... yet this one is striking closer to home, sadly. We recently pulled one of our new products off the shelves, after a mere two weeks of retailing it. Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream has been recalled by the FDA, due to precautionary concerns over two of the ingredients, phenoxyethanol and chlorophenesin.  Apparently, after over a year on the market, the FDA has decided that these chemicals, though considered low hazards for humans, are unsafe for infants. The two ingredients in question also interact to create a more hazardous by-product.

This news is particularly troubling to us here at The Greater Green. As a retailer of natural products, we have never had to deal with a product recall before. Mommy's Bliss is  a natural products company started by a registered nurse in 1999, who was hoping to create safer and more natural products for moms and their babies. We had opted to carry this product as an alternative to lanolin-based creams, which cause allergic reactions in approximately 3% of people.  We ran the 2 suspect ingredients through the Skin Deep Database, and they came out as "low hazard" (2 and 4 on a scale of 1-10). Unfortunately, this helpful resource did not account for the effects on infants, nor did it take into account the combined effects of the two ingredients when reacted together.

We have contacted any customers who purchased this product and refunded their purchase price while urging them to immediately discontinue use. Though no reports of infant sickness have occurred, meaning the recall is precautionary rather than reactionary, we urge everyone to take this recall to heart and immediately stop using this product.

CLICK HERE to read a news report on the recall.
CLICK HERE to read the Mommy's Bliss response to the FDA recall.

It is especially disturbing when recalls effect the natural product market. Unfortunately, in situations like this, we find some people start thinking that if natural products are not safe, then why bother going to the extra expense of using them? The whole premise of our business is based on offering products that are safer, healthier, and more natural than conventional products. Please rest assured that such a recall rarely occurs in the natural products sector, and if it causes people to question their purchases, we hope that it will push them towards even more natural, more organic products rather than away. That is what it is doing to us here at The Greater Green!

So what does this mean for The Greater Green? It confirms a belief that has been growing in the core of our hearts. Although many people are requesting the more "mainstream" natural brands, many of them seem to be coming under fire lately: Seventh Generation, Jason Natural Cosmetics, Kiss My Face, Nature's Gate, and on and on. We believe it is time for us to gravitate toward carrying more of the truly natural products, that are produced by lesser-known, but wonderful, small, green companies. We have already started an extensive campaign of seeking out and sampling many new natural and organic products and are so excited at some of our finds!

Comments

[Tatiana Newman]

I have been using Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream with all of my three children. It’s the best product I have found on the market and I tried several. The FDA is warning about two ingredients that may be potentially harmful but these are preservatives that are commonly used in many other products. Their amount in the nipple cream is negligible. I know that because I am a pharmacist by trade. In this case, the FDA created too much ado about nothing.

[Diane Zoran]

I am a pharmacist and I also use this nipple cream – the same “potentially harmful ingredients” are used in many other products as preservatives. I called the company to ask about the amount they put in the formula and it appears to be next to nothing. This natural product is definitely much better than those who have lanolin. I have been happily using other products manufactured by this company and I find them to be great, especially the Baby’s Bliss gripe water for colic, which gave us so many peaceful nights.

[Carl Thompson]

As someone who works in the personal care product industry, I have an interest in the outcome of this issue. Please keep me posted. Thank you.

[Camille]

I have never used this product but I did use Earth Momma Angel Baby nipple cream and never had a cracked nipple or even a hint of dry skin! If you are looking for an alternative to Mother's Bliss, you might look into it. I believe it is organic & natural but would have to check to be 100% sure. Thanks for the info!