December 27th 2024.
On Thursday, a proposed federal rule announced by the Food and Drug Administration would require cosmetic companies to take extra precautions in ensuring that any products containing talc are free of asbestos. This move, mandated by Congress, aims to ease the minds of consumers who have expressed concerns about the safety of cosmetics, such as makeup and baby powder, that contain talc.
The decision follows a series of legal battles against companies like Johnson & Johnson, with plaintiffs claiming that talc-based baby powder is linked to cancer. However, research on the matter has yielded mixed results, and the potential connection has been acknowledged for quite some time due to the way talc is extracted from the earth. Talc is a mineral commonly used in cosmetics to absorb moisture or improve texture, and it is often found near asbestos, a toxic mineral. Cosmetic companies have been aware of the risk of cross contamination for years.
Despite the ongoing litigation, recent tests conducted by the FDA have not found any safety issues. In fact, since 2021, over 150 cosmetic samples have been analyzed in a laboratory and all have come back negative for asbestos. However, the concern surrounding the potential risk prompted Congress to pass a law in 2023, requiring the FDA to establish new industry standards for asbestos testing.
Dr. Linda Katz, the director of the FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, stated that the agency thoroughly considered the scientific evidence and complex policy issues surrounding the detection and identification of asbestos in talc-containing products. She expressed confidence in the proposed testing methods, believing they will help ensure the safety of talc-based cosmetics.
The ongoing lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson allege that their talc baby powder caused women to develop ovarian cancer when used for feminine hygiene. In an attempt to settle tens of thousands of these cases, a J&J subsidiary has proposed paying approximately $8 billion. As part of the deal, the subsidiary would file for bankruptcy, but this proposal has been challenged by the Justice Department.
In response to the controversy, Johnson & Johnson removed talc from their baby powder in the U.S. market in 2020 and then internationally in 2023. However, they maintain that their products are safe. Determining the cause of cancer is often a difficult task, especially in cases of ovarian cancer, which is relatively rare. Even large studies involving thousands of women may not provide enough data to confirm or disprove a connection. The American Cancer Society acknowledges that if there is a heightened risk of cancer due to talc, it is likely to be very small.
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