Fri 12 August 2022:
Baby powder containing talc will no longer be sold anywhere in the world, according to healthcare products giant Johnson & Johnson, more than two years after it ceased doing so in the United States and Canada. Beginning in 2023, the corporation will no longer sell the product on the international market.
In a statement, Johnson & Johnson said that it would launch an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio. “As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, we have made the commercial 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 discontinued globally in 2023,” read the statement.
Johnson & Johnson is facing thousands of lawsuits across countries as many women alleged that the talcum-based baby powder contained asbestos and many of them developed several health issues including ovarian cancer. However, Johnson & Johnson has always claimed that its product is safe to use.
“Our position on the safety of our cosmetic talc remains unchanged. We stand firmly behind the decades of independent scientific analysis by medical experts around the world that confirms talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer,” the statement added.
According to Johson & Johnson, cornstarch-based baby powder is already sold in many countries around the world, and soon the product will be available globally.
“We continuously evaluate and optimize our portfolio to best position the business for long-term growth. This transition will help simplify our product offerings, deliver sustainable innovation, and meet the needs of our consumers, customers and evolving global trends,” said the statement.
While the same product was accessible in other international markets, J&J discontinued marketing talc-based baby powder in the US and Canada in 2020 due to an increase in lawsuits regarding the product’s safety requirements.
According to Reuters, Johnson & Johnson is facing roughly 38,000 lawsuits alleging that asbestos contamination in its talc products caused cancer.
J&J introduced talc-based baby powder in 1894, and the product has come to represent the brand’s commitment to a family-friendly image.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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