Independent Panel Evaluates Safety of Talc in Everyday Products to Protect Public Health
Independent Panel Evaluates Safety of Talc in Everyday Products to Protect Public Health
By: Monique Richards
On May 20, 2025, an independent panel of scientific experts from around the world convened to assess the safety and necessity of talc, a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in food, drug, and cosmetic products. Talc is known to be used in human foods, like chewing gum and candies, as well as cosmetics and medications. With growing concerns of talc’s long-term health risks, especially when it is contaminated with asbestos, the panel evaluated the latest data on talc exposure and its impact on consumer health.
Commissioner Makary led the first-of-its-kind roundtable discussion with a panel of world-renowned independent experts in their respective fields. The transparent discussion is part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to transform American health care and rebuild trust in public health. The event was open to the public and grounded in gold standard science, setting precedents for future discussions.
Why This Matters to You
Most people aren’t aware they or their family members may be consuming or applying products that contain talc. Did you know, for instance, that some residue on a piece of chewing gum is often made with talc? While talc is generally considered safe in its purest form, it can sometimes be contaminated with asbestos, a known cancer-causing substance. The panel cited decades of epidemiological studies that link the use of talc in cosmetics with increased risk of ovarian cancer. The panel also explored not only the widespread presence of talc in consumer products, but also the scientific evidence linking prolonged talc exposure to potential health problems beyond cancer, including inflammation and other chronic health conditions.
OII’s Office of Human Food Inspectorate conducts inspections of talc-containing cosmetics to ensure they are not contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. A cosmetic product is considered adulterated if it contains asbestos. Additionally, FDA’s 2024 proposed rule (see below) would, if finalized, render a cosmetic product adulterated if the manufacturer fails to comply with testing or recordkeeping requirements.
Are there Safer Alternatives to Talc?
One of the panel’s key takeaways is that safer alternatives to talc exist, such as magnesium stearate. This raises important questions about whether talc is truly necessary in products many consumers use, given several implicated health risks associated with talc use—or if companies could switch to ingredients or talc alternatives that pose fewer risks to consumer health. The expert panel also recommended consumers to:
- Check labels on foods (including chewing gum and candies), medicines (both over-the-counter and pharmaceuticals), and cosmetics for talc, which may also be listed as “magnesium silicate”).
- Stay informed about product recalls or safety alerts, often led by OII’s Office of Field Operations and Response. You can access detailed weekly updates through the FDA Enforcement Report & The Recall Subscription Service, which provides summaries of recalled products regulated by the FDA. To receive timely notifications, sign up for the FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts subscription service, ensuring you never miss critical public health information.
- Ask questions if they are unsure about an ingredient in a product that they regularly use.
Independent, Scientific Expert Panel
This initiative is part of the FDA’s broader efforts to apply rigorous, evidence-based standards to ingredient safety and modernize regulatory oversight, thoroughly considering evolving science and consumer health. By bringing together these leading expert scientists, this roundtable helps to ensure that consumer safety remains top priority at the agency. It may also help inform future product decisions, and potential regulatory actions aimed at reducing exposure to potentially harmful substances.
You can watch the complete roundtable discussion at: FDA Expert Panel on Talc.
Additional Background Information: On December 26, 2024, the FDA Issues Proposed Rule on Testing Methods for Detecting and Identifying Asbestos in Talc-Containing Cosmetic Products. This proposed rule, if finalized, will help protect consumers who use talc-containing cosmetic products from harmful exposure to asbestos. This proposal is part of the agency's work to fulfill the requirements of section 3505 of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA).