Assembly passes bill requiring clearer ingredient labels, cancer warnings on baby cosmetics

Miss Lee, the sponsor, told colleagues the bill would give families more information about products they apply to infants’ skin, saying, “Families deserve clear information, safer products, and peace of mind.”

The Assembly approved A.11360, an amendment to the General Business Law that requires manufacturers of products labeled for infants—examples cited in debate included baby lotions and shampoos—to list all ingredients in order of predominance and to display a warning label when a product contains a chemical identified in the bill as a carcinogen. The sponsor emphasized that the measure focuses on transparency rather than forcing disclosure of trade‑secret formulations: “We are simply asking for transparency,” she said.

During floor questions Mister Durso asked whether the rule would force companies to reveal proprietary blends. Miss Lee responded that the bill does not require disclosure of formulation proportions or trade secrets and noted similar labeling requirements already exist for diapers and menstrual products. The sponsor also clarified the measure is prospective: products manufactured and labeled after the law’s effective date (180 days after enactment, as read on the floor) must comply; existing retail stock produced earlier may continue to be sold until that period lapses.

Supporters framed the bill as a public‑health and consumer‑information measure aimed at reducing avoidable exposures for infants, noting the skin is a primary route of exposure for many household products. Members voting in favor cited parental peace of mind and safety; those raising concerns sought and received clarifications about trade secrets, timing, and manufacturer responsibility for labeling.

The clerk recorded the vote: Ayes 140, Nays 0. The bill passed on the main calendar and, as read, will take effect as specified in the final section.