In alignment with the U.S. FDA’s alerts regarding benzene risk, the NNHPD has revised several entries in the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID). Benzene is a Class I solvent with unacceptable toxicity and must not be used in health product manufacturing.
Key Changes:
- Ingredients Removed: Carbomer 934, 934P, 940, 941, and 1342 (as these may be manufactured using benzene).
- Generic Entry Removed: The generic “carbomer” entry is now insufficient; specific viscosity grades must be identified.
- Regulatory Alignment: The USP and NF have proposed omitting these specific carbomer monographs effective August 1, 2026.
The NNHPD is contacting approximately 865 NHP licence holders and 70 non-prescription drug licence holders to request the removal of these carbomers from formulations by the August 2026 deadline. Please find below the summary of updates to Carbomer in the NHPID.
