FDA Proposes Mandatory Asbestos Testing for Talc-Based Cosmetics

The proposed rule requires manufacturers to use advanced methods to detect asbestos, addressing long-standing health concerns over talc contamination.

The FDA's proposed rule mandates standardized testing of talc-containing cosmetics for asbestos using advanced microscopy techniques.
Products that fail testing or record-keeping requirements would be classified as adulterated under federal law.
The rule aims to protect consumers from asbestos exposure, which is linked to lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and mesothelioma.
The announcement follows decades of lawsuits, including Johnson & Johnson's ongoing legal battles over alleged asbestos contamination in its talc products.
The public and industry stakeholders have 90 days to submit comments on the proposal before it can be finalized.