Highlight
- Johnson & Johnson said it would discontinue its talc-based baby powder globally by next year
- J&J stopped selling its baby powder in the United States and Canada two years ago
- The company said it would soon release a cornstarch-based baby powder
Johnson & Johnson said it would discontinue its talc-based baby powder globally by next year. The health care product company stopped selling its baby powder in the United States and Canada two years ago.
The move comes after thousands of lawsuits were filed against the company by several women who claimed that talcum-based baby powder contained asbestos and that many of them developed several health issues, including ovarian cancer. However, Johnson & Johnson has always claimed that its product is safe to use.
The company said in a statement that it will soon release cornstarch-based baby powder. “There are about 38,000 lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson claiming that its talc products caused cancer due to contamination with asbestos,” Reuters news agency reported.
Talc based baby powder was launched by J&J in 1894 and has become synonymous with the company’s family-friendly image.
What does J&J’s statement say
Johnson & Johnson said in a statement: “As part of a worldwide portfolio evaluation, we have made the business decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio. As a result of this transition, talc-based Johnson’s baby powder will be available in 2023.” Will be shut down globally.”
“Our position on the safety of our cosmetic talc remains unchanged. We stand firmly behind decades of independent scientific analysis by medical experts around the world that confirms that talc-based Johnson Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos , and it does not cause cancer,” the statement said.