FDA Releases Data from the Agency’s 2022 Testing of Talc-Containing Cosmetic Products for Asbestos

Constituent Update

December 7, 2022

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released the results of the agency’s 2022 sampling assignment, testing talc-containing cosmetic products for the presence of asbestos. Asbestos was not detected in any of the 50 samples tested in 2022. The testing was conducted using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

As background, AMA Analytical Services, Inc. (AMA) was awarded a contract to test talc-containing cosmetics for the presence of asbestos. AMA was selected because of its expertise and experience in asbestos testing, and because it is accredited for analysis of asbestos in bulk materials through the National Institute of Standards and Technology administered National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NIST-NVLAP).

Products were selected and purchased by the FDA, and then samples of the products were blinded and transferred to AMA for analysis. The products were selected based on various factors including type of talc-containing cosmetic product, price range, popular products on social media and in advertisements, products marketed to children, products marketed to women of color, and, if any, third party reports of potential asbestos contamination. 

To see the FDA’s previous talc sampling results, please visit the FDA's webpage on Talc. In the coming year, the FDA plans to issue draft guidance to industry for testing asbestos in talc-containing cosmetic products.