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In a news release citing an assessment related to COVID-19, Johnson & Johnson announced that it will stop selling its baby powder made with talc in Canada, among other products.
The company states that, in an effort to “prioritize high-demand products” and to facilitate social distancing in its factories, it identified approximately 100 products it will not be distributing, including the talc-based baby powder. Johnson & Johnson continues to assert that the product is safe, but consumer habits concerning the use of its baby powder have changed.
“Demand for talc-based Johnson’s baby powder in North America has been declining due in large part to changes in consumer habits and fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising,” says Johnson & Johnson in its news release.
CTV News reports that Johnson & Johnson has been the target of thousands of lawsuits over allegations that talc in its baby powder ingredients causes cancer. The complaints claim that because talc is mined close to asbestos, a known carcinogen, it is linked to cancer that has developed in consumers.
“Johnson & Johnson remains steadfastly confident in the safety of talc-based Johnson’s baby powder,” states the company in its news release. “Decades of scientific studies by medical experts around the world support the safety of our product. We will continue to vigorously defend the product, its safety, and the unfounded allegations against it and the Company in the courtroom. All verdicts against the Company that have been through the appeals process have been overturned.”
However, the product, which represents 0.5 percent of the company’s U.S. Consumer Health business will “wind down” over the coming months, with retailers instructed to sell off remaining talc-based baby powder. Cornstarch based versions of the product will remain available in the North American market. Additionally, both talc and cornstarch-based Johnson & Johnson baby powder will remain available in other markets around the world, notes the company.
Indeed, BBC News reports that Johnson & Johnson will continue to sell talc-based baby powder in UK markets.
“Johnson & Johnson remains fully committed to its Johnson’s Baby brand,” concludes the company’s news release.
Despite Johnson & Johnson’s assertions that its talc-based baby powder is safe, the rising tide of litigation has many consumers wondering “is baby powder safe?”
CTV News reports that a number of women have claimed that asbestos powder in Johnson & Johnson baby powder gave them cancer. However, the report also notes that a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded no strong link between the cancer and talc-based baby powder.
Like many companies, Johnson & Johnson stock was hit hard by the market turndown as a result of coronavirus measures putting the brakes on the economy generally. According to CNN Business, Johnson & Johnson stock also took a hit in 2019 after the company issued a voluntary recall of its baby powder after trace amounts of asbestos were found in some bottles.
In October of 2019, CNN reported that the company had been dealing with baby powder lawsuits for some time. Additionally, in December of 2018, A Reuters investigation purportedly revealed that the company had known for decades that asbestos had been found in its talc-based products, but Johnson & Johnson hid that information from consumers and regulators.
In January of this year, Industry Week reported that the company’s CEO told a New Jersey jury that he relied on internal experts when telling the public on national television that Johnson & Johnson baby powder did not contain asbestos. However, the CEO reportedly testified that these claims could no longer be made because a U.S. health and safety agency found traces of asbestos in the product earlier in the year.
At this point, according to Industry Week reporters, the company faced over 17,000 lawsuits. The company has been ordered to pay out million and even billion-dollar verdicts in some baby powder lawsuits.
Johnson & Johnson’s recently released statement announcing the removal of the product from the North American market reiterates its safety claims about talc-based baby powder, however. It states that it is continuing to appeal verdicts against it and has had some success in reducing or even overturning such verdicts.
Are you concerned about cancer claims surrounding Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder? Do you purchase the product? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
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7 thoughts onJohnson & Johnson to Discontinue Talc-Based Baby Powder in Canada
I used Johnson and Johnson baby powder for years on my arms, underarms, feet and legs to feel and smell fresh and developed T cell cancer called Mycosis fungoides is the most common form of a type of blood cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas occur when certain white blood cells, called T cells , become cancerous; these cancers characteristically affect the skin, causing different types of skin lesions. I have to live with this everyday and if I would have known then what I know now, I would never have used it
Any baby powder law suit due too ovarian cancer
My mother used this powder all the time seeing we had 6 kids in the Family. In 1997 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December and was gone by the end of June. Her neighbour who also used this on her kids used this also and died from ovarian cancer A male neighbour also died from testicular cancer all on the same street. Pretty scary for sure.
I have been working in a nursing home for 29 years as a Personal Support Worker…
On a daily basis I would use Johnston and Johnston Baby Powder while caring for my residents..
For 29 years I was breathing in the fumes from the Johnston and Johnston Baby Powder..
November 2019 I was diagnosed with non small Lung Cancer.
I have since had 14 chemo treatments and I’m unable to work..
Leaving no option but collect Canada Disability Pension..
I would love answers and support for the suffering I deal with in a daily basic
I feel Johnston and Johnston are responsible for the Lung Cancer I have..
Kim Grissell
My mom was a regular user all of my life, used it herself and made it part of my routine since I was a baby. My mom developed ovarian cancer when she was only 50yrs old. She had a complete hysterectomy and chemotherapy. She developed breast cancer a few years after which mastetisized and took her life. Her last 10 years were not good ones. I’m convinced J&J baby powder is responsible.
it is concerning the product has been used in our family for a very long Time, it disappointing and sad
My mother used J & J Talcum powder on me as a youngster & I continued to use it into my adulthood UNTIL I heard about the possibilities of it being a carcinogen. I THEN DISCONTINUED IT’S use. It still concerns me that some of my health issues stemmed from basically an almost lifelong use of this product!!!