As a common baby powder alternative, it’s essential to look at cornstarch baby powder safety. Compared with the blend of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen that is talc baby powder, corn starch comes out ahead .. but it’s not a clear-cut winner.
On the positive side of things, cornstarch is made from a safe food product. You can literally eat the stuff and have no negative side effects.
Although cornstarch is safe to eat and is not a carcinogen, it can be dangerous. Respiratory failure from corn starch aspiration is a real risk from careless use (source). And, it’s all too easy to be careless.
When you’re rushing to get a little one out of wet diapers and dealing with not-so-great changing facilities on the go, sometimes the powder starts flying.