Manufacturers of baby powder and cosmetics that use talc would be required to test for asbestos under a proposal announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The agency’s proposal comes at the direction of Congress, which passed legislation last year requiring the FDA to take action. Asbestos, a known human carcinogen, is found in the same types of rock as talc deposits and can be introduced during the mining process, leading to contamination of products and concerns about the risk to the public. is causing concern.
The FDA’s proposed rule would require manufacturers to test samples of talc-containing cosmetics for asbestos using methods such as transmission electron microscopy, which illuminates the sample with polarized light or an electron beam. Alternatively, companies can rely on certificates of analysis from talc suppliers, the agency said.
“We believe the proposed testing technology is an appropriate method to detect asbestos to ensure the safety of talc-containing cosmetic products,” said Linda Katz, a physician and director of the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors. said in a news release Thursday. The agency announced its measures.
The agency’s proposed rules fall short of banning talc as sought by advocates such as the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG).
A long-running lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson alleges that the company’s talcum baby powder caused women to develop ovarian cancer. june company agreed to pay $700 million to resolve allegations that marketing misled people about the safety of talcum-based powder products.
J&J’s subsidiary offered to pay about $8 billion to settle tens of thousands of lawsuits. As part of the deal, the subsidiary will declare bankruptcy, a proposal that is being challenged in court by the Justice Department.
J&J removed Commercially available talc-based powder in North America in 2020 and overseas in 2023.
The company says it will continue to ensure the safety of its products.
In 2019, the FDA asbestos was found It was present in cosmetics sold by Claire’s Stores, prompting a recall by the retailer and Beauty Plus Global. Most recently, in late October at Dynalex, New Jersey. expanded the recall Due to possible asbestos contamination, Dynacare Baby Powder was shipped to 35 states and sold on Amazon.
contributed to this report.
