U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the safety of zinc acetate and approved its use as an active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) skin protectant drug products at concentrations of 0.1 to 2%.

The FDA’s Select Committee on Generally Recognized as Safe Substances (SCOGS) concluded that there was no evidence in the available information on zinc acetate 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 FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Zinc Acetate http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has deferred evaluation of this ingredient because the safety has been assessed by the FDA. This deferral of review is according to the provisions of the Expert Panel procedures.

Water-soluble zinc salts, including zinc acetate, 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 Cosmetic Regulation:
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…