4277. Misbranding of hormone liquid cleansing cream.   U. S. v. 40 Cases, etc.
(F. D. C. No. 34886.   Sample No. 17403-L.)
LIBEL FILED :    March 18, 1953, Southern District of California.
ALLEGED SHIPMENT : On or about December 26, 1952, by the Revlon Products
Corp., from New York, N. Y.
PRODUCT : 40 cases, each containing 5 dozen plastic bottles, of hormone liquid
cleansing cream at Los Angeles, Calif., together with a number of leaflets
entitled "Introducing the Cosmetic Discovery of Your Lifetime."
Examination showed that the product consisted of a white, perfumed, oil-
in-water creamy emulsion containing approximately 50 percent of mineral oil,
8 percent of saponifiable fats, 39 percent of water, with small proportions of
other substances, including 0.65 milligram of estrogenic hormones per fluid
ounce. Assay of the hormone content indicated that the label declaration
"Contains 6,000 International Units Natural Estrogenic Hormones Per Ounce"
was correct.
LABEL, IN PART: (Embossed on bottle) " 'White Sable' Hormone Liquid Cleans-
ing-Creme (Biologically Standardized) Revlon * * * Contains 6,000 In-
ternational Units Natural Estrogenic Hormones Per Ounce. * * * Net Con-
tents 6 Fl. Oz." ; (gold tag tied to neck of each bottle) "Biologically Standard-
ized 6,000 International Units Natural Estrogenic Hormones Per Ounce The
First and Only Cleansing-Creme With Hormones!"
NATURE OF CHARGE: Misbranding, Section 502 (a), certain statements on the
bottle label, on the tag tied to the neck of each bottle, and in the above-men-
tioned leaflets accompanying the article were false and misleading. The
statements represented and suggested that the article was an adequate and
effective treatment for rejuvenating the skin, replenishing the diminished
estrogenic content of the tissues, providing the tissues instantly with hor-
mones, and revitalizing mature, dehydrated skin. The article was not an
adequate and effective treatment for such conditions and purposes.
DISPOSITION : January 15, 1954. The Revlon Products Corp. having appeared
as claimant and without admitting or denying any of the allegations of the
libel and having consented to the entry of a decree, judgment of condemna-
tion was entered. The court ordered that the leaflets and the neck tags at-
tached to the bottles be destroyed and that the product be delivered to charita-
ble institutions.