Francesca Biagioli Talc was recently classified as "probably carcinogenic" by the IARC and it is possible that the use of this ingredient will be restricted in the coming years. But, beyond talc itself, do you know which products it is found in?
Talc occurs in many uses in different industries including the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Talc is a common ingredient in baby powders, face powders, and blushes among other powdered products in the cosmetics industry.
In food, talc is used as food additive E 553b to improve the texture of food powders. In pharmaceuticals, it is used as an excipient in tablets and powders. Additionally, talc occurs in plastics, paper products, and building materials.
Talc is also known by these names:
- steatite
- soapstone
- hydrated magnesium silicate
- E 553b (food additive)
- talc (cosmetic ingredient)
To avoid talc, carefully read the labels of products and choose those free from it. Look for alternatives made of cornstarch or rice flour, especially in baby products, powders, and certain foods.
Is talc carcinogenic?
As of 2024, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified asbestos-free talc as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A). This follows the confirmed listing of asbestos-contaminated talc as carcinogenic since 2009.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has also raised concerns, saying that long-term exposure to talc may cause cancer, particularly in the genital and lung areas if inhaled.
But the ultimate classification of talc as a carcinogen in Europe remains to be completed. Authorities will vote on the reclassification by the end of 2025.
Risks linked to asbestos contamination
As pointed out earlier, crude talc can be contaminated with asbestos, a highly carcinogenic substance. Contamination is a source of concern inasmuch as the majority of talc sources are from Indian, Chinese, and American mines where deposits of asbestos are likely to be found in association with talc.
Alarm grew when it was also learned that companies like Johnson & Johnson had been privy to asbestos tainting in their talc products for decades but did nothing about it. You may recall that asbestos in talc has been a subject of numerous lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, which had been charged with selling cancer-predisposing products.
When will a ban take effect?
New legislation and regulatory actions on talc are ongoing. If talc is officially classified as a carcinogen, the use of talc in cosmetics would be banned by the end of 2027. The European Commission will still have to review any exemptions and enforcement strategies.
Meanwhile, some companies have already switched to alternative talcs, such as cornstarch.
In the food industry, the scene is less clear, with no intentions to ban talc as a food ingredient currently in light of ongoing safety concerns about its long-term use.
Only time will tell whether talc, like titanium dioxide, will fall under the same restrictions or bans in the future as new safety concerns emerge.
