FDA Withdraws Proposed Rule for Asbestos Testing in Talc Cosmetics

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has canceled a proposed safety rule for talc-based cosmetics. The rule would have required makeup companies to test their talc products for asbestos. Asbestos is a harmful mineral that can cause cancer. It is sometimes found naturally near talc, which is a common ingredient in powders and makeup. The proposed rule aimed to ensure these products were free of asbestos contamination. The FDA has not provided detailed reasons for withdrawing the proposal. The agency first suggested the testing requirement in 2020. Health reporter Roni Rabin of The New York Times discussed the development on "The Daily Report." She explored the implications of the decision in a recent article. Consumer safety advocates have long called for mandatory asbestos testing in talc cosmetics.