FDA steps back on talc testing

In late November, the FDA withdrew a proposed rule that would have created standardized, federally enforceable methods for testing talc-containing cosmetics for asbestos under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA).

If finalized as originally written, that rule would have required manufacturers to test talc or talc-based cosmetic products before use and to maintain records showing compliance, and any asbestos contamination or failure to follow testing requirements would have rendered a product adulterated under the law.​

Why this proposal stalled

The withdrawal doesn’t mean FDA is uninterested in asbestos testing, but that the agency is responding to public comments that flagged concerns about definitions and methods. In particular, commenters questioned how “asbestos” should be defined compared with other federal agencies and how to standardize complex analytical methods across industry without creating confusion or inconsistency.​

Asbestos risk in talc-based cosmetics

Asbestos is a well-established human carcinogen, and there is no known safe level of exposure. Studies and investigative reports have documented asbestos contamination in some talc-based powders and makeup products, including items used by children, underscoring how difficult it is to quantify real-world exposure from cosmetics alone. Even tiny inhaled fibers can lodge in the lungs or pleura and contribute to mesothelioma and other cancers decades after exposure.​

Practical takeaways

As there is still no finalized, standardized federal testing requirement in place, brands vary in how rigorously they evaluate talc for asbestos.

For patients who prefer a cautious approach, reasonable steps include choosing talc-free powders when alternatives exist, checking whether brands disclose talc sourcing and independent testing, and minimizing inhalation of loose powders, particularly around children.​

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