Why Some Powders Are Being Banned in the EU

**Why Some Powders Are Getting Banned in the EU**

The European Union is known for its strict safety rules, especially when it comes to products people use daily. Recently, certain powders—from food ingredients to toy materials—have faced bans or restrictions. Here’s why:

**1. Safety First for Kids**
New EU rules now ban harmful chemicals in toys, including powders or substances that could hurt children. For example, preservatives and fragrance allergens are no longer allowed in toys meant for kids under three or those designed to be put in mouths[4]. Even some electronic toys might contain restricted PFAS (a group of synthetic chemicals), unless they’re completely sealed off from contact[4]. The goal? To stop kids from accidentally swallowing or touching unsafe materials.

**2. Food Powders Under Scrutiny**
While not outright banned yet, novel food powders like cricket powder are being carefully reviewed before approval[5]. The EU requires extensive safety checks for new food ingredients to ensure they don’t cause allergies or other health risks. This process can delay approvals but aims to protect consumers from untested products[5].

**3. Hidden Chemicals Everywhere**
The EU is cracking down on powders containing hazardous substances like endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with hormones) and skin irritants[4]. These often lurk in everyday items, such as cosmetics or cleaning products, but new regulations aim to phase them out entirely—especially if safer alternatives exist[2][3].

**What’s Changing? Digital Tracking and Transparency**
Soon, all toys sold in the EU will need a “digital product passport” (think QR codes) showing exactly what’s inside them[4]. This helps parents check if a toy contains banned powders or chemicals before buying it online or in stores[4]. Similar traceability rules could expand to other products too.

In short: If a powder poses even a small risk—especially to kids—the EU is stepping in faster than ever to limit its use while pushing companies toward safer alternatives.***

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*Note: While cricket powder isn’t banned (it’s undergoing approval)[5], this example shows how the EU evaluates novel powders differently than traditional ingredients.*