FDA finds asbestos in three products sold by Claire’s

(Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration called on Congress on Tuesday to modernize rules for cosmetics safety after it issued an alert about asbestos contamination detected in three products sold by retailer Claire’s.

The FDA said it would work with Congress to update the outdated regulatory framework that the agency has been operating under for more than 80 years for cosmetics.

The agency issued a safety alert warning consumers not to use three Claire’s products because they had tested positive for asbestos, a known carcinogen. In its safety alert, the FDA identified the products as Claire’s eye shadows, contour palette and compact powder.

Claire’s did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The health regulator said it would investigate whether manufacturers source talc used in the products with appropriate traceability, and whether they test raw talc and/or their finished products.

“We also want to know how many cosmetics products contain talc and whether manufacturers have received adverse event reports associated with talc-containing products,” the FDA said.