Johnson & Johnson Announces Baby Powder Recall
On October 18, 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted the company announcement made by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. The reason for the statement was the presence of asbestos in one of its baby powder products. The company told consumers that “out of an abundance of caution,” it voluntarily recalled a single lot of Johnson’s Baby Powder after the FDA found “chrysotile asbestos contamination” in a bottle of the product purchased from an online retailer.
What is Chrysotile Asbestos?
Asbestos, the World Health Organization (WHO) says, is a carcinogen that is dangerous to humans. All types of asbestos, including actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite, cause cancer in humans, according to the IARC (International Agency on Research for Cancer).
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that, when inhaled or otherwise absorbed into the body, causes lung, larynx, ovaries, and other types of cancers. Chrysotile asbestos is one of the most dangerous occupational hazards as it is a substance that is still often found in building materials. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed by people who allege that exposure to asbestos in the workplace caused their cancer. Lawsuits also allege that talc, the main ingredient in baby powder, can contain asbestos if not mined and cleaned correctly. These lawsuits claim that using talcum powder contaminated with asbestos, caused their cancer.
What is Johnson & Johnson Doing About Asbestos in Baby Powder?
In addition to recalling Baby Powder because of asbestos, Johnson & Johnson announced that it is conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. The company is also working with the FDA to determine the validity of the tested result, and the “integrity” of the sample tested.
Johnson & Johnson is trying to determine if:
- The sample came from a sealed product
- If the asbestos was the result of cross-contamination
- If the tested baby powder was authentic
The FDA told CNN in an email that they stand by the testing process and results that found asbestos in Johnson’s baby powder.
Drug Stores Pull Baby Powder off Shelves
Johnson & Johnson has attempted to reassure consumers that their products are safe and meet rigorous testing standards. While the recall only applied to one lot of 22 oz bottles of baby powder, CNN news reported that large retailers including CVS, and Rite Aid, decided to recall all 22 oz bottles of Johnson’s baby powder.
Recalling its products may make it difficult for Johnson and Johnson to maintain consumer confidence that its talcum powder products are safe- especially in light of pending lawsuits. The New York Times reported that there are currently over 15,000 lawsuits against J & J, alleging its talcum powder and other talc-based products cause cancer.
Contact Our Baby Powder Cancer Lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP to find out if you are entitled to file a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, makers of talcum powder. If you have cancer and used baby powder, call us today at 800-403-6191.
Dear Andres,
We wanted to express our thank you to you for the wonderful job you did with our daughter’s case. You are a true professional and we are thankful that you are the one who helped us all through this. We couldn’t have asked for anyone better to have on our daughter’s side.
Respectfully,