Ovarian Cancer Patients Sue Manufacturer of Talc-Based Powder

I have spent almost thirty years in regulatory roles with the Food and Drug Administration, focusing on medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. I am familiar with industry regulations and have some toxicology experience with cosmetics . The FDA is typically very hands-off when it comes to cosmetics, and there isn’t a tremendous amount of regulatory history as a consequence. Typically, they don’t intervene unless a clear problem is presented, and let the cosmetics industry regulate itself. Only within the last 15 years has the FDA gotten involved regulating cosmetics, and so far they have only intervened when imports were involved. Potential issues with talc have been known for decades; the FDA did some studies by collecting retail samples, but participation was voluntary and they have not issued any warnings.