This known toxin remains in several widely used drugs after FDA reverses major testing requirement

Talc, a mineral long used in consumer products and medications, remains under regulatory scrutiny—but the FDA’s latest move did not amount to a ban.

The proposed rule, first published in December 2024, was withdrawn effective November 28, 2025, after FDA said public comments raised technical and legal issues requiring further consideration before final regulations could be issued. ^[]

The practical result: There is currently no finalized FDA rule requiring standardized asbestos testing for talc-containing cosmetics under that withdrawn proposal. ^[]

The FDA says it remains concerned about asbestos contamination in talc, noting that asbestos is a known carcinogen when inhaled and that talc and asbestos may occur near each other geologically. ^[]

The agency also says cosmetic products and ingredients, except color additives, generally do not undergo FDA premarket review or approval. ^[]

The reversal does not appear to have changed the market status of medications that list talc as an inactive ingredient. ^[]

The FDA’s withdrawn rule was focused on talc-containing cosmetic products, though the agency acknowledged that the proposal could have affected some cosmetic products that are also drugs. ^[]

Notably, talc is found in 4 of the 10 most commonly used medications in the US: Lipitor, Synthroid, Prilosec, and Neurontin. ^[]

Talc is also used in certain foods, candies, chewing gum, cosmetics, and dietary supplements—a widespread use highlighted in a recent scientific paper urging the FDA to reassess talc’s safety in both food and drugs. The paper was authored by George Tidmarsh, MD, PhD, a former director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.^[]

Understanding the concerns

Talc, a naturally occurring mineral composed of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen, is commonly used for its moisture-absorbing properties.

However, concerns have been raised about its safety, particularly due to potential contamination with asbestos, a known carcinogen.

Health implications

Research indicates that talc particles can persist in human tissues for extended periods. ^[]

John Joseph Godleski, MD, professor emeritus of pathology at Harvard School of Public Health, reported finding talc in 90% of ovarian cancer tissue samples from patients with known genital exposure, with asbestos fibers present in just under 10% of cases. ^[]

There's a pro-inflammatory nature of talc, and it has a potential role in chronic diseases. Commissioner Makary emphasized the need to scrutinize not just talc but all chemicals that may contribute to health issues, especially those to which children are exposed. ^[]

Regulatory considerations

Despite the rollback, the FDA stated that it remains committed to evaluating the safety and necessity of talc across food, medications, dietary supplements, and cosmetics—not just makeup. A new, expanded proposal is expected to focus on identifying safer alternative ingredients and reducing asbestos-related disease.

Still, consumer advocates expressed alarm, arguing that withdrawing the rule shifts responsibility onto consumers, who have no practical way to determine whether products contain asbestos.

Industry trade groups, meanwhile, raised concerns that broad testing requirements could lead to false positives, increased litigation, and significant manufacturing costs. Some groups also pushed back on the inclusion of over-the-counter drugs and supplements in such testing.^[]

Overall, experts assert that the public remains largely unaware of how frequently talc appears in foods and drugs. “I think there's just been a general lack of awareness about the use of [this mineral] in our food and drug supply," said Dr. Tidmarsh. ^[]