The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed the findings of its 2023 sampling assignment, which involved testing talc-based cosmetic products for asbestos contamination. The examination utilized Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). None of the 50 samples examined in 2023 were found to contain asbestos. This isn’t the initial instance where the FDA has scrutinized talc for potential contaminants.
The testing was carried out by AMA Analytical Services, Inc. (AMA), chosen by the FDA due to its proficiency and track record in asbestos testing. AMA holds accreditation for analyzing asbestos in bulk materials through the National Institute of Standards and Technology-administered National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NIST-NVLAP). Since 2018, AMA has been awarded contracts by the FDA to conduct tests on talc-containing cosmetic products for the presence of asbestos.
The FDA selected and procured cosmetic products, after which samples were anonymized and sent to AMA for analysis. The selection criteria for these products included factors such as the type of talc-based cosmetic product, price range, popularity on social media and in advertisements, products aimed at children or women of color, and any third-party reports suggesting potential asbestos contamination.
