Vacation Inc.
FDA issued a warning letter to Vacation Inc. (Miami, FL, United States) on Aug 6, 2025, citing 21 CFR 201.128. Subject: Nonprescription, OTC.
From the letter: “Thus, even if your products were in conformity with the conditions set forth in M020 and all other applicable requirements to be deemed GRASE and not new drugs under section 505G(a)(1), they do not comply with the requirements under…”
At a glance
What a reviewer notes before reading: findings, citations, the response deadline and what the letter warns of.
- Violations
- 2 findings · 2 issue types
- Cited
- 21 CFR 201.128
- Response due
- 15 working days after receipt of this letter
- FDA asks for
- 4 actions
- Named as possible actions
- Seizure, injunction
- Issued by
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
- Published status
- No close-out recorded
AI assisted findings
Model-assisted reading of each issue. Open one to see the FDA text it comes from, and check it against the full letter.
01Registration, listing & premarketThe products are misbranded under section 502(ee) because they are subject to section 505G but do not comply with its requirements and lack an approved application.
Thus, even if your products were in conformity with the conditions set forth in M020 and all other applicable requirements to be deemed GRASE and not new drugs under section 505G(a)(1), they do not comply with the requirements under section 505G. Accordingly, your “Classic Whip Sunscreens” are misbranded under section 502(ee) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(ee).
02Labeling, claims & marketingThe products are misbranded under section 502(i)(1) because their containers resemble food canisters, misleading consumers and increasing risk of accidental ingestion.
Furthermore, your “Classic Whip Sunscreens” are misbranded under Section 502(i)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(i)(1), which provides that a drug is misbranded if “its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading,” because they are packaged in containers that resemble food canisters customarily purchased by U.S. consumers.
What FDA requested
- Notify FDA in writing, within 15 working days of receipt of this letter, of the specific steps you have taken to correct any violations.
- Include an explanation of each step being taken to prevent the recurrence of violations, as well as copies of related documentation.
- If you believe that your products are not in violation of the FD&C Act, include your reasoning and any supporting information for our consideration.
- If you cannot complete corrective action within 15 working days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which you will complete the correction.
FDA Warning Letter
31 paragraphs · 4 sectionsText as published on FDA.gov, retrieved Sep 8, 2026. Layout added for reading; the wording is FDA’s. View on FDA.gov (opens in a new tab)
1Introduction
6 paragraphs
This letter is to advise you that on March 5th, 2025 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed your product labeling, including your website, https://www.vacation.inc/, where your “Vacation® Classic WHIP BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 SUNSCREEN MOUSSE” and “Vacation® Classic WHIP GLOW BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 SHIMMER SUNSCREEN MOUSSE” drug products (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Classic Whip Sunscreens”) are available for purchase in the United States without a prescription. We also reviewed your social media on Instagram at “vacationinc” which directs consumers to your website to purchase your products.
Your “Classic Whip Sunscreens” are “drugs” as defined by section 201(g)(1)(B) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1)(B), because they are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and/or under section 201(g)(1)(C) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1)(C), because they are intended to affect the structure or any function of the body.
Examples from the “Classic Whip Sunscreens” product labeling, including your website and social media page listed above, that provide evidence of the intended uses (as defined in 21 CFR 201.128) of the products as drugs include, but may not be limited to, the following:
“Vacation® Classic WHIP BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 SUNSCREEN MOUSSE” and “Vacation® Classic WHIP GLOW BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 SHIMMER SUNSCREEN MOUSSE”
“Uses ∙ Helps prevent sunburn ∙ If used as directed with other sun protection measures (see Directions), decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.” [from your product labels]
“BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 SUNSCREEN MOUSSE” [from your product labels]
2“Vacation® Classic WHIP BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 SUNSCREEN MOUSSE”
2 paragraphs
“Classic Whip SPF 30 ‘Dessert For Your Skin’ SPF 30 Sunscreen Mousse…What it is ‘lighter-than-air’ sunscreen featuring an authentic ‘tilt valve’ actuator that produces perfect, star-shaped mountains of foam, inspired by everyone’s favorite after dinner indulgence.” [from your product website]
“…a decadent dessert for the skin that we like to call Vacation® Classic Whip. A Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Mousse…But don’t be fooled by its appearance, because just like the rest of the Vacation® Brand Family of Products, this SPF gives your skin everything it needs to stay protected during long days by the pool...” [from your Instagram social media page]
3“Vacation® Classic WHIP GLOW BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 SHIMMER SUNSCREEN MOUSSE”
6 paragraphs
“Classic Whip Glow SPF 30 ‘Classic Whip, Now With Shimmer’ SPF 30 Shimmer Sunscreen Mousse…What it is lightweight, ‘dessert-inspired’ sunscreen you know and love…” [from your product website]“…With the new Vacation® Brand Classic Whip Glow, treat your skin to fluffy, glistening dollops of sunscreen mousse all at the gentle press of its authentic ‘tilt valve’…” [from your Instagram social media page]
Based on the above labeling, your “Classic Whip Sunscreens” are intended for use as over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen drug products. No FDA-approved applications pursuant to section 505 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355, are in effect for your drug products. Section 505G of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355h, governs the marketing of nonprescription drugs that are marketed without an approved application under section 505 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355, such as your products. Under section 502(ee) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(ee), a nonprescription drug is misbranded if the drug is subject to section 505G of the FD&C Act, but does not comply with the requirements for marketing under that section and is not the subject of an application approved under section 505 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355.
Section 505G of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355h, provides that certain nonprescription drugs are deemed to be generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) and not new drugs if they, among other things, conform to the conditions in the applicable OTC monograph. In the case of OTC sunscreen drug products, the applicable OTC monograph is set forth in the final administrative order, OTC000006: Over-the-Counter Monograph M020: Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use (hereinafter M020), which was deemed a final order by 505G(b)(8) and 505G(k)(2)(B).1 However, under section 505G(m)(2), “notwithstanding subsection [505G](a),” sunscreens in dosage forms other than oil, lotion, cream, gel, butter, paste, ointment, stick, spray, and powder may only be lawfully marketed, without an application approved under section 505 of the FD&C Act, pursuant to an order issued under section 505G of the FD&C Act.2 To date, no final order has been issued by the Secretary under 505G(b) or 505G(c) that would authorize marketing of a sunscreen in foam (aka, mousse or whip) dosage form.3 As previously stated, there are no FDA-approved applications in effect for your drug products.
Thus, even if your products were in conformity with the conditions set forth in M020 and all other applicable requirements to be deemed GRASE and not new drugs under section 505G(a)(1), they do not comply with the requirements under section 505G. Accordingly, your “Classic Whip Sunscreens” are misbranded under section 502(ee) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(ee).
Furthermore, your “Classic Whip Sunscreens” are misbranded under Section 502(i)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(i)(1), which provides that a drug is misbranded if “its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading,” because they are packaged in containers that resemble food canisters customarily purchased by U.S. consumers. Specifically, your sunscreens are presented in metal canisters with a “authentic ‘tilt valve’ actuator” that outputs a star-shaped foam and have a strong overall resemblance to the metal canisters ordinarily used to package whipped cream products and similar dessert toppings.4 Packaging drug products in containers that resemble food containers commonly used by adults and children can mislead consumers into mistaking the products for food, which is of particular concern as this increases the risk of accidental ingestion.
The introduction or delivery for introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce violates section 301(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(a).
4Conclusion
3 paragraphs
The violations cited in this letter are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of violations that may exist in connection with your products. You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of any violations and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations. It is your responsibility to ensure that your firm complies with all requirements of federal law, including FDA regulations.
This letter notifies you of our concerns and provides you an opportunity to address them. Failure to adequately address this matter may result in legal action including, without limitation, seizure, and injunction.
Please notify FDA in writing, within 15 working days of receipt of this letter, of the specific steps you have taken to correct any violations. Include an explanation of each step being taken to prevent the recurrence of violations, as well as copies of related documentation. If you believe that your products are not in violation of the FD&C Act, include your reasoning and any supporting information for our consideration. If you cannot complete corrective action within 15 working days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which you will complete the correction. Your response should be sent to U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CDER/OC/Office of Unapproved Drugs and Labeling Compliance by email to FDAAdvisory@fda.hhs.gov and include your firm name and the unique identifier “706039” in the subject line of your email.
Citations and trends
Each 21 CFR section, ISO 13485 clause and issue type in this letter, how often it appears across all letters, and its trend by the year FDA issued the letters. 2026 runs to Nov 3, 2026, compared with the same dates last year. Select a row or a bar to see those letters in Letters. As cited in this historical letter, not a statement of current requirements.
Regulations
Issue types
Record details
- Issuing center
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
- Issuing office
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
- Location
- Miami, FL, United States
- Letter posted date
- Aug 12, 2025
- Letter issue date
- Aug 6, 2025
- Addressed to
- CEO
- Inspection dates
- Not recorded
- Response window
- 15 working days after receipt of this letter
Read the source clause
Please notify FDA in writing, within 15 working days of receipt of this letter, of the specific steps you have taken to correct any violations.
- Record length
- 1,724 words · 1 recorded redactions
- Published status
- No published close-out
- Original letter
- View on FDA.gov (opens in a new tab)
- Dataset last checked
- Nov 11, 2026 · How this is built
A response window is not a calculated due date. Source excerpts are selected passages. Finding interpretations and categories are model-assisted. Verify the original letter before relying on a finding.