Now the courts will decide if the industry has met its burden of proof. While the California plaintiffs pursue their case, federal authorities seem unimpressed. Dennis Baker, FDA's associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, reviewed 12 health studies that Gottesfeld is using to support his claim that the coal-tar shampoos pose a significant health risk. Baker found all of the studies seriously flawed. The FDA doesn't have the backbone to stand up to industry.
Coal tar is certainly no secret ingredient.
Neutrogena boldly touts coal tar's effectiveness. The extra-strength formula has 1 percent coal tar. But other anti-dandruff products use alternative compounds. If the California court favors the plaintiffs, Fiering said, shampoo manufacturers may opt to lower the concentration of coal tar or remove it altogether. One of Prop 65's success stories was lowering lead concentrations in calcium supplements.