Chanel No 5 ban denied

The European Commission said it had no intention to ban or impose limits on perfumes or cosmetics found to cause an allergic reaction.

A scientific review has identified about 100 ingredients which could cause allergies and recommended that some be limited, while others, such as tree mosses used in Chanel No 5 perfume, be banned outright.

The committee has called for tree moss, which provides the woody notes in Chanel’s signature scent and in Dior’s Miss Dior fragrance, to be banned outright.

Other famous fragrances that could be affected include Guerlain’s Shalimar and Angel by Thierry Mugler.

EU commission spokesman for health and consumer policy Frederic Vincent said it was “false to say that the EC wants to ban Chanel No 5”.

The scientific findings were just that and did not represent the official position, said Mr Vincent.

Actor Brad Pitt, the current face of Chanel No 5 and the first man to be used for the women’s perfume ads, is reportedly paid €7m for his troubles.