Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in food products, medicines and cosmetics such as lipsticks and deodorants.
The Cosmetic Directive of 1976 sets the maximum concentration for their use in cosmetic products.
Since then, a number of scientific publications have suggested a link between breast cancer and the use of paraben-containing deodorants and antiperspirants.
DG SANCO requested an opinion from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) . The newly published Opinion states that in the light of the present knowledge, there is no evidence of demonstrable risk for the development of breast cancer caused by the use of paraben-containing underarm cosmetics.
It also pointed to the deficiencies in the studies that led to the suggestion of such a link.
