Tea tree oil faces ban in UK and EU over reprotoxicity

Some small branches, leaves and flowers from a teatree plant and some dropper bottles of oils

Source: © Iv-olga/Shutterstock

Defenders question relevance of animal safety data that triggered decision

Tea tree oil is under threat of being banned in the UK and EU after assessments by regulators have found that it is toxic to reproduction. Industry representatives are challenging the proposals, claiming the animal data showing tea tree oil’s health effects does not apply to humans.