PARIS. Apr 3: Fear of mad cow disease has spread to the unlikely sector of cosmetics, reports AFP.

Bovine extracts are used by almost all cosmetic manufacturers. except those who specify that their Ingredients rome solely from plant or marine life.

Bovine tissue has numerous uses. Collagen (used In cosmetic surgery Implant*), elastin (hydrating creams), keratin (shampoos) and bovine grease (soaps and lipsticks) are only one of Its uses In the cosmetic industry.

Even though the French cosmetic industry Introduced a ban in 1990 on bovine derivatives from countries that pose a health risk such as Britain the European cosmetic Industry took a further step on Saturday by asking its members not to use certain bovine extracts regardless of their geographical origin.

These extracts incitide tissues taken from the eyes, marrow and brain, which all carry a high risk of Infection. Although few cosmetic products are currently made using these particular extracts, the European cosmetic industry has asked its members to withdraw these types of products from shops.

The only new measure taken by authorities in this L sector has been the ban on a

specific typic of injectable collage used In cosmetic surgery, according to health experts the origin of this derivative Is not guaranteed

In France, the cosmetic industry only use products with a known source with certificate stating the origin. If a certificate is not provided, the extracts are treated to kill any possible germs.

At the beginning of last week. when mad cow disease hysteria exploded, the French fraud squad launched an en qulry Into whether the existing regulations are respected by laboratories.

Toiletries, beauty and hair products represent more than half the French cosmetic and Erfume industry turnover six lion dollars of a total of 56.1 billion.

France is*a market leader In the cosmetic Industry with three large brand names. L oreal (Including Lancome and Vichy). Sanofi (including Yves Saint-Laurent and Yves Rocher) and Lvmh (including Christian Dior and Givenchy).

The European Commission last week imposed a ban on beef products from Britain because of fears that mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). can be transmitted to humans as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a fatal brain disorder.