FDA tests prompt Claire’s to pull asbestos-laden kids’ makeup from shelves

The mall chain store Claire’s is removing from shelves three talc-based products — eye shadows, compact powder and contour powder — that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said earlier this week contain asbestos. Claire’s said it is doing this “out of an abundance of caution.” FDA test results confirmed the findings of a U.S. PIRG Education Fund study last year that discovered asbestos in Claire’s compact and contour powders. Talc is a substance that sometimes contains naturally-occurring asbestos, and Claire’s said it was “also removing any remaining talc based cosmetic products.”

In response, U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s toxics program director Kara Cook-Schultz, who was the lead author on the Claire’s study last year, released this statement:

“While we are relieved that children will no longer be able to buy three asbestos-containing cosmetics at Claire’s, we urge Claire’s to take stronger action with these products. Many consumers still have these dangerous products on their shelves at home. Parents and kids should be informed about the problems with the makeup they purchased.”

The FDA cautions consumers not to use the above items.

The above shimmery makeup that contains talc was still available for purchase at Claire’s as of March 6, 2019.