Hypoallergenic

With regard to gloves, the claim hypoallergenic was developed to describe a reduced potential for developing a dermatological response to chemicals utilized in production of a given product. The 200 person modified Draize test is used to determine potential irritancy or allergic contact dermatitis (Type IV) to the product. After manufacturing product to meet these requirements, manufacturers were allowed to utilize the term hypoallergenic as an identifier for the product (a claim). However, in recent years individuals have also developed Type I allergic reactions in association with the proteins from the gloves. Because the label claim of hypoallergenic was being interpreted as to refer to both Type IV and Type I allergies, rather that just Type IV, this claim was removed from all gloves September 30, 1998.