Every person in his/her childhood has used at least a single product of Johnson & Johnson, but this time you’ll be shocked to know why is this company making headlines.
US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson announced on Thursday that it will stop selling its controversial talc-based baby powder globally in 2023. The announcement comes two years after J&J halted its sales in the United States and Canada. In a statement, the company said it will move from talc-based powder to cornstarch-based baby powder.
"As part of a global portfolio review, we have made a business decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio. As a result of this transition, talc-based J&J baby powder will be closed at the global market in 2023," the company said in a statement.
It is worth noting that for many years, J&J talcum powder, especially baby powder, has been in controversy over whether it contains asbestos, an allegedly cancer-causing carcinogen. More than 38,000 lawsuits have been filed against the company's talcum powder by consumers who have allegedly been harmed by using the product.
The pharma giant, however, continued to take the line in its statement that its product is safe despite the sales halt.
"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 confirm that talc-based J&J Baby Powder is safe, in Asbestos is not, and does not cause cancer."
A Reuters report earlier revealed that J&J was aware of the harmful effects of its product, according to internal memos circulated within the company. However, it doubled its sales by targeting the African American and overweight women market.