A list with the file name "Prohibited words" has been circulating since at least last week in official work chats, according to two FDA scientists with direct knowledge of the matter.

Scientists at the Food and Drug Administration say they were told to stop using certain words in external communications, including “woman,” “disabled,” and “elderly,” according to a report. Two FDA scientists told Reuters that a file titled “Prohibited Words” showing a list of banned terms was circulated at the agency over the last week.

Washington: A list of banned words quietly circulated within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), restricting terms like "sex," "identity," "women," "diverse," and "elderly" from official use,