FDA Withdraws Asbestos in Cosmetics Rule Citing Impacts on Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration is withdrawing a proposed 2024 rule to require talc producers or cosmetic companies purchasing the mineral to ensure it doesn’t contain asbestos to reduce potential harms to consumers.

Although the rule was intended for cosmetics, comments the FDA received said the proposal would have unintended consequences for consumer products including drugs. The agency also said it needs to ensure any test method it required would effectively detect asbestos in talc-containing cosmetic products, the withdrawal notice said.

FDA’s priorities, as part of its Make America Healthy Again effort, are to ensure additives in the American food ...