“Additive-Free”: What Is Not Included? | Reading the Labeling Rules

“Additive-free.” It is a word you see often, but on its own, its meaning is not fixed. Unless it says what has not been added, there is no way to compare.

The rule is as follows

Under the Fair Competition Code Concerning Representation of Cosmetics established by the Cosmetic Fair Trade Council, when displaying terms such as “additive-free,” “not formulated with,” or “not used,” which mean that a certain ingredient is not included, what is not included must be clearly stated.

This code is based on Article 31, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations. Its purpose is to prevent improper customer inducement and enable consumers to make rational choices for themselves. In other words, the four characters meaning “additive-free” have meaning only when they become useful information for the person choosing.

Steps for reading it

• Check whether there is a statement near “additive-free” explaining what is additive-free
• Consider whether that ingredient is something you personally want to avoid
• Check the ingredient list to see what is included instead of the ingredient that is not included

The third point is easy to overlook. If one ingredient is not used, its role must be performed by something else. A formula cannot be made by subtraction alone.

“Additive-free” is not a word that indicates good or bad; it indicates a range. What range is it referring to, and is that written clearly? That is almost the only thing you need to look for.

How to read the ingredient list itself is here summarized here.

References: Cosmetic Fair Trade Council; Consumer Affairs Agency

—The Value Village Editorial Team