Concerns about asbestos showing up in talc-based beauty products have lingered for years—and with good reason, as multiple reports and recalls have made headlines time and time again. To address those very real risks, the FDA proposed a rule late last year that would have required cosmetic brands to test any talc-containing products for asbestos, a known carcinogen that can sometimes appear in talc because of how the minerals are mined. But in a recent update, the FDA announced that it has withdrawn the proposed rule.
What the Rule Would Have Required
The proposed change would have meant regular testing and detailed documentation to prove talc-containing products were asbestos-free. If a brand didn’t meet those requirements, its products could be labeled “adulterated” under federal law—essentially, not recommended for use.
As NewBeauty previously reported, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has found sufficient evidence linking asbestos to mesothelioma and cancers of the lung, larynx and ovary. Yet even with those well-established risks, the FDA states that it “does not currently require any specific method or approach to test for asbestos in talc-containing cosmetic products. And with the proposed rule now withdrawn, that lack of a standardized testing framework remains.
Why the Proposed Rule Was Withdrawn
Industry groups—including the National Association of Manufacturers, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and the Essential Minerals Association—pushed back on the proposal, arguing that it could create a wave of unintended problems. Some worried that the testing method could produce false positives, leading to unnecessary recalls and major financial strain. Others noted that the FDA’s definition of asbestos didn’t align with that of other federal agencies, which could make the rule confusing to follow and difficult to enforce across industries.
Some groups also pointed out that the FDA already has the power to create testing rules for talc, and asbestos is already banned in cosmetics, so they questioned whether a separate new rule was needed.
What Now?
For now, the FDA says it needs more time to figure out the best way to move forward so that consumers stay protected.
While the agency reassesses its approach, concerns around asbestos in beauty products remain. And they’re not theoretical. In recent years, several talc-containing items, including children’s makeup kits and certain loose powders, have been recalled after tests detected asbestos.
NewBeauty will keep tracking this conversation as it evolves.