Despite mounting evidence linking talcum powder to asbestos, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has withdrawn a proposed rule to implement standardized testing on all talc products, leaving countless consumers unprotected.
Since talc naturally occurs near asbestos in the earth, it can become contaminated with asbestos fibers during mining.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen. Exposure to even small amounts of asbestos in talc may cause serious illnesses like ovarian cancer and mesothelioma decades later.
Despite this, many companies continue to sell products with talc, including face powders, eye shadow, and talcum powder. In 2024, the FDA proposed a new rule requiring testing to ensure cosmetics don’t contain asbestos.
However, the agency withdrew this proposal and plans to eventually create a new rule, leaving no federal requirement for testing asbestos in cosmetics and putting millions of Americans at risk.
As a national asbestos law firm, Sokolove Law has helped thousands of families pursue justice and compensation for illnesses caused by this toxic mineral.
About the Proposed FDA Talc Rule
Previously, the FDA had proposed requiring companies to use two different testing methods on samples from each batch of talc to check for potential asbestos contamination.
The suggested testing methods could detect asbestos fibers that are usually too small to be seen with the naked eye. The goal of the proposed FDA talc rule was to protect consumers by ensuring that talc products aren’t tainted with asbestos.
The recommended testing methods included:
- Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)
- Transmission Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy/Selected Area Electron Diffraction (TEM/EDS/SAED)
Failing to comply with these testing regulations would have resulted in the product being deemed adulterated or unsafe for use.
While the public and advocacy groups like the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) readily welcomed such safety regulations, companies continued to fight for cheaper costs at the expense of the American public.
As of 2026, the FDA talc asbestos proposal has been officially withdrawn following extensive public comments, industry pushback, and concerns about scientific, legal, and technical complexities of testing.
“This is another horrific rollback. It puts the onus on Americans to have to try to identify consumer products that might be contaminated, and the average person can’t do that because you can’t know without testing. People should be outraged.”
– Linda Reinstein, ADAO Co-Founder and President
Withdrawal of the FDA’s Asbestos in Talc Testing Proposal
Instead of moving forward with mandatory asbestos testing for talc-containing cosmetics, the FDA has withdrawn the proposal to give itself more time to plan a new approach under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA).
As a result, there is currently no mandatory federal testing requirement for asbestos in cosmetic talc, leaving safety practices largely up to manufacturers and voluntary testing. There is no deadline for when a new rule will be proposed or finalized for testing asbestos in cosmetics.
Rather than finalizing that rule, the FDA plans to:
- Reassess and eventually issue a new proposed rule that will establish standardized testing requirements for asbestos and talc in cosmetics
- Reconsider the best ways to address asbestos detection and reduce harmful exposure
- Take industry feedback into account when revising and recommending new regulations
Critics, mesothelioma lawyers, and asbestos advocates remain rightfully skeptical given the lack of timeline and the FDA’s retreat when met with industry opposition.
Thousands of asbestos-related talc cancer claims were filed last year, and Americans are still getting sick — when will something change?
The Importance of FDA Talc Testing for Asbestos
Currently, there’s no standard way of testing for asbestos in cosmetic products containing talc. As a result, millions of Americans may have unknowingly been exposed to this hazardous substance.
Even products that contain trace amounts of asbestos can potentially cause serious, life-threatening diseases to develop, usually around 20-50 years after exposure.
Illnesses linked to asbestos-contaminated talc include:
- Mesothelioma
- Endometrial cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Lung cancer
Without standardized testing for asbestos in talc, the FDA can’t ensure cosmetics and other products are safe for Americans. The longer the gap goes before a concrete plan is in place, the more lives are needlessly affected by a lack of oversight and corporate negligence.
Companies like Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Avon® have already paid significant amounts to consumers who developed cancer after using their talc products. The proposed rule would have helped ensure that companies are held to a higher standard in the future.
Thousands of Talc & Asbestos Lawsuits Filed
The FDA’s response to asbestos in talc comes after thousands of ovarian cancer and mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed against companies that made or sold talc products.
Find out more about some of the legal battles involving talc and asbestos:
- Over 90,000 talcum powder lawsuits have been filed against J&J as of January 2026.
- In 2025 alone, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay over $2.5 Billion to talc victims.
- Avon has paid more than $225 Million in asbestos settlements and legal fees to consumers harmed by their cosmetics.
- Whittaker Clark & Daniels, a talc supplier for Old Spice®, was ordered to pay $4.8 Million after a long-time user developed mesothelioma.
- Talc suppliers Imerys and Cyprus Mines filed for bankruptcy due to talcum powder lawsuits, establishing a joint $850 Million asbestos trust fund to pay current and future victims.
Many well-known companies have been ordered to pay millions in settlements and verdicts for illnesses caused by asbestos-contaminated talc.
Thousands of cases are still pending, with more filed every day. Make sure you follow the latest talc lawsuit updates, so you know where the litigation stands.
How to Know If Talc Is Asbestos-Free
If a product contains talc, it’s possible that it also contains asbestos fibers. Since the FDA has put testing on the back burner, consumers will have to rely on other methods to ensure their cosmetics are safe.
While only scientific testing can guarantee that a product doesn’t contain asbestos, there are ways to reduce your risk of exposure to asbestos in talc:
- Check labels for any mention of talc in the ingredients list
- Research and use products from talc-free brands
- Safely dispose of talc products in your home by placing them in a sealable bag and throwing them away
If one of your favorite products contains talc, try finding a safe alternative sold by another brand and posting about your decision on social media. Making this change can help reduce your risk of asbestos exposure, potentially prevent illnesses like mesothelioma, and push corporations to sell safer products.
Until the FDA is willing to test talc and have safety requirements in place like other products, consumers can’t be confident that their products are safe.
If you’ve developed an asbestos-related disease but aren’t sure how you came into contact with this toxic mineral, our team can help you prove how you were exposed to asbestos.
Get Help for Illnesses Caused by Asbestos in Talc
With the FDA withdrawing its proposed rule for asbestos testing in talc products, countless consumers remain at risk of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.
If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer, Sokolove Law is here to help. Since our founding over 45 years ago, we’ve secured more than $5.7 Billion in compensation for victims impacted by asbestos exposure.
Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free case review. Let us fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.
