FDA Nixes Asbestos Tests, Talcum Powder Says “Trust Me”—We Won’t

I am writing to express strong concern over the FDA’s decision to withdraw its proposed rule requiring standardized asbestos testing for talc-based cosmetics. This reversal removes essential consumer protections and raises the risk of repeating a painful chapter in public-health history. For years, Johnson & Johnson faced thousands of lawsuits alleging that its talcum-powder products were contaminated with asbestos and caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Juries across the country issued substantial verdicts in favor of victims, including landmark multi-billion-dollar awards. These cases revealed how dangerous asbestos contamination can be when proper testing and oversight are absent. The scale of litigation, the suffering families endured, and the long legal battles should serve as a clear warning. We should never be in a position where consumers unknowingly use contaminated products that cause irreversible harm. The FDA’s now-withdrawn rule would have required modern, reliable testing methods to detect asbestos in talc-containing cosmetics. This step was not only commonsense but aligned with Congressional intent under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022. Rolling it back places consumers at unnecessary risk and undermines trust in regulatory protections that are supposed to prevent exactly the kind of tragedies seen in the Johnson & Johnson cases. I urge you to speak out against this reversal and push the FDA to reinstate mandatory asbestos testing—or, if necessary, require it through new legislative action. Americans should not face another decades-long public-health disaster because safety testing was deemed optional. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.