Johnson & Johnson (J&J) will discontinue manufacturing and marketing talc-based baby powder globally beginning next year.
The news comes more than two years after the healthcare giant discontinued sales of the medicine in the United States.
Tens of thousands of lawsuits have been filed against J&J by women who claim their talcum powder contains asbestos and caused them to develop ovarian cancer.
However, the corporation maintained that decades of independent studies prove that the product is safe to use.
“As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, we have made the commercial decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio,” it said in a statement.
According to the company, cornstarch-based baby powder is already available in nations throughout the globe.
J&J also said that their baby powder is safe to use: “Our position on the safety of our cosmetic talc remains unchanged.”
the company said.
“We stand strongly behind decades of independent scientific study by medical professionals worldwide that proves talc-based Johnson’s baby powder is safe, does not contain carcinogens, and does not cause cancer,”
J&J announced in 2020 that it will cease selling talc baby powder in the United States and Canada due to a drop in demand caused by what it termed “misinformation” regarding the product’s safety in a number of court proceedings.
At the time, the company said that it will continue to market its talc-based baby powder in the UK and across the globe.
Consumers and their survivors are suing J&J, claiming that asbestos pollution in the company’s talc goods caused cancer.
Talc is extracted from the soil and is found in seams near asbestos, which is known to cause cancer.
According to a 2018 Reuters investigation, J&J knew for decades that asbestos was included in their talc products.
According to Reuters, internal corporate documents, trial testimony, and other evidence proved that J&J’s raw talc and finished powders sometimes tested positive for tiny levels of asbestos from at least 1971 through the early 2000s.
In response to proof of asbestos contamination provided in courtrooms, media reports, and to US politicians, the corporation has disputed the charges on several occasions.
J&J established a subsidiary, LTL Management, in October and assigned their talc claims to it. It then declared bankruptcy, which halted the ongoing litigation.
Prior to declaring bankruptcy, the corporation faced fines ranging from $3.5 billion (£2.87 billion) in judgements and settlements, including one in which 22 women were paid more than $2 billion.
A shareholder resolution to halt worldwide sales of talc baby powder failed in April.
Johnson’s Baby Powder has been marketed for almost 130 years and has come to represent the company’s family-friendly image.
Baby powder is used to treat diaper rash and for cosmetic purposes, such as as a dry shampoo.
Credit The BBC
