Survivor Advocacy Groups Push for National Talc Use Warning Label Mandates

Grassroots groups are asking for all products that use talc to have cancer warning labels that are easy to see

Thursday, August 7, 2025 - Advocacy groups led by cancer survivors are working harder to make sure that all talc-based personal care items marketed in the US have baby powder ovarian cancer warning labels on them. These grassroots groups are asking federal regulators and lawmakers to make it mandatory for all products to include labels that warn people about the growing evidence linking long-term use of talcum powder to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Many of these supporters are cancer survivors or family members of people who have filed cases against talcum powder for cancer. They say that people have the right to clear and visible warnings before taking products that could be very bad for their health. The main reason for the effort is the notion that the current labeling rules are not good enough and are confusing. Some companies have chosen to stop making talc-based items or change their formulas to use things like cornstarch instead. However, many other companies still offer talc products without any cancer warnings. Advocacy groups say that this puts consumers at risk, especially women who use talcum powder for feminine hygiene or parents who put it on their babies without knowing the risks. They want containers to include labels like those used in California under Proposition 65, which says that corporations must tell customers if their products contain chemicals that are known to cause cancer or impair reproduction.

Recent events in litigation and research have helped these initiatives gain ground. Thousands of lawsuits on talcum powder cancer have revealed internal business documents that show that manufacturers have known about the possible risks for decades. Some of these papers show that companies deliberately fought against putting warning labels on their products because they didn't want to hurt their brand image or bottom line. Survivor advocacy groups have used this history to say that warning labels shouldn't be optional; they should be required in all places. They stress that having the same rules across the country would make things less confusing and give all consumers the same level of protection, no matter where they live. Health and legal experts have spoken out in favor of the plan. More and more medical groups are saying that there may be a link between using talc in the genital area and ovarian cancer, especially if you use it for a long time. Researchers in public health have also asked for clearer information to be given to the public, pointing out that many people think talc-based powders are completely safe since they have been on store shelves for so long. They say that not having a warning label gives people a false sense of security.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other federal agencies have been criticized for not putting in place full talc labeling standards, even though there have been years of studies and lawsuits. The FDA has sent out safety updates on a regular basis and tested samples of talc goods for asbestos contamination, but it has not yet required manufacturers to put cancer warnings on their products. Now, advocacy groups are working with state politicians and members of Congress to write laws that would force the FDA to make its rules harsher

Information provided by TalcumPowderCancerLawsuit.com, a website devoted to providing news about talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits, as well as medical research and findings.