Dr. Kligman, the dermatologist and educator who led Retin-A to market, among other achievements, passed away on February 9, 2010, at the age of 93.  He was a signature example of the commitment and sense of inquiry and innovation that’s led to so many breakthroughs over the years in both the sciences, and their  practical application in the realm of personal care products.   His endowments to the University of Pennsylvania, and the influence he’s had on generations of students, will ensure the progress and good works he initiated will continue well into the future.

Investment dollars are finding their way back into the natural personal care category, according to this recent story via CGI Magazine; recent acquisition deals show how companies and brand are recovering the interest of investors after an 18-month lull brought on by the financial crisis.

Names such as Aveda managed to maintain growth and solid results throughout the downturn, in part because of their independence and because consumers identified them as ‘ethical’ brands which offered the authenticity that’s important to more and more shoppers as time goes on.

This news also points up how investment follows innovation, as pathfinders in this category are now reaping the rewards of offering consumers alternatives that, in many cases, instigated new lifestyle behaviors and buying patterns, helping to create mass momentum behind a fresh new extension to the personal care category.

Last December, the producer of  Tylenol reported a recall due to what was described as an unusual odor.  Since then, the recall has been extended to include additional products most of which were produced at a factory in Puerto Rico.  The recall now covers more than 50 million consumer packages.  Some illnesses are alleged.

Tylenol’s manufacturer issued a statement on December 18 stating: “The uncharacteristic smell is caused by the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole. The source of the 2,4,6-tribromoanisole is believed to be the breakdown of a chemical used to treat wooden pallets that transport and store packaging materials.”

The pallets in question are believed to have originated in the Dominican Republic however; it is proving to be difficult to trace their exact origin.  To complicate matters, the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and has suffered significant infrastructure disruption as a result of the recent earthquake.

What might this mean to you?  Keep in mind that wooden pallets are used and re-used throughout the industry.  The problem was identified following a spike in consumer complaints.  The pallets bearing early shipments of off-odor products have had plenty of time to work their way to your dock!  Once in your warehouse, they may cause issues with product stored on or adjacent to affected pallets.

If your product line includes FDA Regulated Food, Drug, Cosmetic or Medical Device items you should be especially concerned.  The FDA’s position is bluntly stated in an official warning letter to the Tylenol Manufacturer that you can examine at:

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm197811.htm .

The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association has issued a fact sheet regarding the Tylenol recall which can be viewed at:

http://www.nwpca.com/_INTLRegulations/Tylenol.pdf

The FDA Warning Letter cites Tylenol’s producer for failure to submit Field Action Reports (FARs) to the FDA within three days.  Had the product been a food, the allowed time would have been 24 hours effective when the Reportable Food Registry (RFR) regulations went into effect on September 8, 2009.  The RFR uses FDA’s new electronic portal.

Be sure your drivers, warehousemen and dock workers are alert to this problem and equipped to take prompt decisive action.

Our valued supplier AkzoNobel is investing heavily in innovation,  pointed up by this article about their significant outlay to enhance their research establishment at Felling, in the UK.  The benefits of this will undoubtedly be felt by customers, like ours, who depend on exactly this sort of heads-up investment to assure them of ingredients and formulations that will advance their own competitive edge.

We’re fortunate to have suppliers, such as AkzoNobel, that haven’t relented in their R&D spending during the recession because they recognize how critical it is to future success.  And their products will be foremost among those that prime the pump for a strong recovery.