The United States’ Food and Drug Administration began testing cosmetic talc products for asbestos contamination in late 2018 after independent testing of compact makeup powder marketed to young girls revealed the presence of asbestos. The FDA commissioned AMA Analytical Services, Inc., the nation’s leading lab for testing talc for asbestos contamination, to conduct a one-year study to test a multitude of cosmetic talc products.

As reported by Environmental Working Group on March 9, 2020, the FDA testing shockingly found asbestos contamination in 20% of the products tested!

The products which tested positive for asbestos are:

• Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder
• Claire’s Compact Powder
• Claire’s Contour Palette
• Claire’s JoJo Siwa Makeup Set
• City Color Contour Effects Palette
• City Color Timeless Beauty Palette
• City Color Matte Blush (Fuchsia)
• City Color Shimmer Bronzer (Caramel)
• City Color Bronzer (Sunset)

In response to the FDA testing, on March 18, 2020, Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced legislation, The Children’s Product Warning Label Act, that would require labeling on all talc-based products and cosmetics marketed to children that could contain asbestos. The bill would require companies to use updated testing methods to ensure that their products do not contain asbestos. If companies decline to certify that products are free from asbestos, a warning to consumers would be required on the packaging that the product has not been tested and there is a risk of asbestos contamination.

“Parents should have the peace of mind in knowing that the cosmetics their children use are safe.” Dingell states in her press release. “No child should be exposed to asbestos through the use of common, everyday products.”

Under the Dingell bill, companies would be required to use the same rigorous and updated testing methods AMA relies on to ensure that cosmetics do not contain asbestos.

Read more about the FDA’s Testing and Results here.