The FDA’s Select Committee on GRAS Substances (SCOGS) concluded that there was no evidence in the available information on Zinc Chloride that demonstrates a hazard to the public when used at levels that are now current and in the manner now practiced.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opascogc.html

Link to the FDA Monograph on oral health care drug products
http://www.fda.gov/cder/otcmonographs/Oral_Health_Care/oral_...

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Zinc Chloride
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRS...
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRS...

Water-soluble zinc salts, including Zinc Chloride, are listed in the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union and may be used at a maximum concentration of 1% (calculated as zinc) (see Annex III).
Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/documents/di...

Zinc Chloride is an inorganic salt. In cosmetics and personal care products, Zinc Chloride functions as an oral care agent, a cosmetic astringent and a cosmetic biocide. Zinc Chloride also functions as a drug astringent in OTC oral health care drug products.