(WDNews) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new rule aimed at protecting consumers from potential asbestos exposure in talc-based cosmetic products. The rule, if finalized, would standardize testing methods for detecting asbestos, a known carcinogen, in talc-containing cosmetics.
The move is part of the FDA’s efforts under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) to enhance safety measures in the cosmetics industry. Linda Katz, M.D., M.P.H., director of the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, emphasized the importance of this rule in ensuring consumer safety, citing years of research and collaboration to address asbestos contamination risks.
Talc, a mineral widely used in cosmetics for its moisture-absorbing and anti-caking properties, can sometimes be contaminated with asbestos due to the minerals’ proximity in natural deposits. The proposed rule would require manufacturers to employ specific testing techniques, including Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), to detect asbestos. Alternatively, manufacturers could rely on supplier certificates confirming compliance.
Failure to meet these testing or recordkeeping requirements could result in products being labeled as adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA has opened a 90-day public comment period for stakeholders to weigh in on the proposed rule.
This initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring the safety of cosmetic products and protecting consumers from the risks associated with asbestos contamination.
