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Many sex toys are sold as novelty or recommended for external usage. Such as this glow in the dark set. Likewise, I recently purchased a Jimmy Jane toy and despite it being for internal use and clearly stating on the back "your g-spot and clitoris will be simultaneously sent [...]", it states on the bottom:

Caution: This massager is for therapeutic purposes and is recommended for external use only. Prolonged and frequent use is not advised or recommended., as these items are sold for novelty purposes only. This massager is intended for adult use only.".

Why do companies put this on their packages? Is it to somehow skirt safety laws? Does it mean their products are unsafe?

feetwet
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user2231142
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2 Answers2

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My guess would be that the "not for internal use" disclaimer is an attempt to evade product liability/personal injury claims. A personal injury claim from a faulty product injuring a person's genitalia could easily stretch into the millions of dollars. As a comment noted, I'm not aware of this being tested in court, and don't have time to fully research, but it doesn't hurt the vendor to try.

Also, calling it novelty should help it to avoid the FDA definition of a medical device:

Per Section 201(h)(1) of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a device is: An instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including a component part, or accessory which is:

(A) recognized in the official National Formulary, or the United States Pharmacopoeia, or any supplement to them,

(B) intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, in man or other animals, or

(C) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals, and which does not achieve its primary intended purposes through chemical action within or on the body of man or other animals and which is not dependent upon being metabolized for the achievement of its primary intended purposes. The term "device" does not include software functions excluded pursuant to section 520(o).

Brian
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-3

My understanding has always been not to be consumed or swallowed. It is normally used for medicines. For physical objects, I would assume that putting in your ear, nose, mouth etc is still external use. These areas are open to air.

Definitions of external use

From cambridge dictionary

for external use

intended to be used only on the outside of the body, and not to be eaten or put inside the body:

  • This cream is for external use only.
  • The oil is generally considered safe for external use.

From Collins dictionary

for external use
phrase
If medicine is for external use, it is intended to be used only on the outside of your body, and not to be eaten or drunk.

Mark Johnson
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Rohit Gupta
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