This problem was supposedly fixed in 1997 when manufacturers reformulated their lubricants, but users still report problems several years later.

When caffeinated alcoholic beverages, commonly containing 12% ABV and packaged in 24-oz cans, went off the market, the manufacturers of these beverages reformulated the beverages so as to be without caffeine.

LEAD: Many mainstream manufacturers are reformulating their products to meet kosher requirements.

And Bisquick and Many mainstream manufacturers are reformulating their products to meet kosher requirements.

As a result, the FDA notified manufacturers to remove or reformulate all OTC laxative products containing cascara from the U.S. market by November 5, 2002.

Late last month, it recommended that homemade and commercial garlic in oil that do not have acids to inhibit bacterial growth be discarded and that manufacturers who are not using acidifying agents reformulate their products.

In 2002, the US FDA mandated that manufacturers reformulate or stop manufacturing over-the-counter products containing aloe because the agency did not receive necessary safety data.

Should the agency decide to ban the ingredient in nonprescription drugs, it is possible that manufacturers could reformulate their products or seek approval for them as prescription medications.

The standards are to be phased in with plenty of notice at each stage so buyers can switch paints and manufacturers can reformulate products.

As a result, manufacturers are reformulating products, causing some, specifically oil- or alkyd-based varieties, to have different qualities.