Protecting Against Skin Cancer: FDA Working to Improve Safety of Sunscreen Products

The FDA is taking new steps to ensure products being marketed to protect consumers from the sun’s harmful effects deliver on their promises. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, announced several new initiatives this week, while also promoting the National Council on Skin Care Prevention’s annual Don’t Fry Day.

One step taken by the FDA is to better ensure that products marketed to offer protection from the sun’s harmful effects deliver on their promises.

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“Many of us make efforts to wear protective clothing and seek shade. But for times when we must, or want to be outside enjoying the weather, consumers should know that the products they’re using to protect themselves are effective at guarding them from harmful UV radiation and safe to use on themselves and their families. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case,” said Gottlieb, in a statement.

According to the comissioner, the FDA recently sent warning letters to companies illegally marketing pills and capsules labeled as dietary supplements that make unproven claims about protecting consumers from the harms that come from sun exposure without meeting the FDA’s standards for safety and effectiveness.

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These products, including Advanced Skin Brightening Formula, Sunsafe Rx, Solaricare, and Sunergetic, claim to help prevent sunburn, reduce early skin aging caused by the sun, or protect from the risks of skin cancer. Their manufacturers were instructed to correct all violations associated with their products, and they were advised to review product websites, and product labeling to ensure that the claims they are making don’t violate federal law.

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