FDA misses deadline to ban formaldehyde

(CNN)– The Food and Drug Administration has missed its deadline to propose banning formaldehyde in hair straightening products.

A proposed rule within the agency had an action date on the last day of December.

The delay is frustrating to many users of the products.

Salon workers have been pushing for the ban since 2021.

The FDA has missed several deadlines on the rule since 20-23.

The problem with formaldehyde is it increases the risk of uterine fibroids, infertility, and hormone-related cancers.

Many people see the delay as ignoring a health hazard that disproportionately impacts Black women.