soap making mamas...

[calebsmama03]

I've been approached by a local baby gift shop about selling my handmade soaps, toiletries and baby items (which I usually only make for friends and as gifts). If I do this I would like to create my own company and a website so that customers could come back directly to me to purchase more. I am vaguely aware of the FDA regulations, which is why I haven't pursued this previously. Are there any WAHMamas who would be willing to "mentor" me by helping me figure out how to get started and if this is even worth my while to do (NOT help with recipes! Just help with figuring out the rules and logistics of it all)? Please post or PM me!

[bellee]

Hi, I've got a wahm soap business. To my knowledge there are no FDA regulations on soap (I don't know about other toiletries). The main thing is what you put on your packaging. The weight, and a way to contact you (your business phone number, website, email). It's nice to list ingredients but the FDA dosen't require you to. Can you believe that!!

You'd have to check with your state to see if your items would be taxable too.

hth

[calebsmama03]

Thanks for the quick reply! Sorry I wasn't clear - I know that the FDA doesn't regulate soap as long as it's only marketed as soap (not "moisturizing", etc.). I'm looking for the rules on the FDA toiletry stuff - anyone that can help?

bellee - do you weigh each bar, or use a special mold that gives a uniform weight? I prefer the "au naturel" look and free-hand cut my bars (plus I've been too cheap to buy any special cutters or molds : ). I've seen sites that state "all bars are between 4-5 oz weight" - is this what you would do? Also, do you have any special insurance for your biz?

I just assumed all items were taxable?? I'll have to look into that more! Then again, I've ordered from a lot of WAHM's and haven't paid tax. Hmm - now it's getting even more confusing!

Thanks so very much for your help

[bellee]

I cut mine by hand too. I put an approximate weight on the lable.

Good luck with the toiletries info, maybe you could go to the FDA website?

[calebsmama03]

Thanks again bellee!

Anyone else know anything about the rules and logistics of starting a biz like this? Even if it's just to say "I don't bother with the FDA rules"!! Anything would help.

Anyone?????