A random test was conducted on two batches of Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo samples in Rajasthan. Rajasthan Drugs Controller found traces of the chemical formaldehyde, also known as carcinogen.
The incident comes two just a few months after an investigation was launched into Johnson and Johnson's Baby Powder by the authorities to check if it contains any cancer-causing asbestos. However late in February, Johnson & Johnson had stated that it had resumed production of baby talc after government tests found no asbestos in the product.
The officials have informed that the baby shampoo were tested randomly from two of its batches in Rajasthan. "There is a presence of formaldehyde, a chemical used as a preservative. Johnson & Johnson is now claiming they have not used formaldehyde in the product, but it's showing up in the test. We cannot tell how much percentage of formaldehyde has shown up in the test, but now since the company has challenged it, the samples will be sent for further test to a central drug laboratory", stated Raja Ram Sharma, the Drug Controller of Rajasthan.
The two batches which had been taken as samples for the test have been kept with the Rajasthan Drugs Controller. He is expected to keep them till a final decision on the product is taken after the second test are conducted by the central lab.
Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson is rejecting these allegations and is saying that it hasn't used formaldehyde at all in the product. "We do not accept the interim results given to us, which mentioned samples to 'contain harmful ingredients identification positive for formaldehyde" emphasised a Johnson & Johnson spokesperson.
An American multinational company that manufactures medical devices, pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods, Johnson & Johnson had failed the random tests conducted by the drug control authority in the last month as well.