In early October, 2019, Johnson & Johnson (J & J) Announced it Recalled More than 33,000 Containers of Talcum Cowder
Johnson & Johnson instituted this recall over concerns that asbestos, a known carcinogen, contaminated the talcum powder. In its 2014 public health assessment, The World Health Organization stated that “Exposure to asbestos, including chrysotile, causes cancer of the lung, larynx and ovary, mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings) and asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs).
CNN reported on October 25, 2019, that J & J announced the recall of talcum powder after “a US Food and Drug Administration test that found low levels of chrysotile asbestos contamination in samples from a bottle purchased online.”
Consumers Advised to Stop Using Recalled Talcum Powder
The recall of talcum powder applied to tens of thousands of 22-ounce bottles that were produced in the united states during the past year. The lot number for these items is #22318RB. J & J, according to CNN, has told consumers who have purchased recalled talcum powder to stop using the talcum powder and contact the company to receive a refund.
Retailers Respond to Recall by Pulling Talcum Powder From Shelves
Some retailers like Walmart, have removed the recalled products from store shelves. Others such as CVS, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid have taken the matter more seriously and as of the date of this report, was going to stop selling all 22-ounce bottles of J & J talcum powder.
Investigations into Contaminated Talcum Powder Continue
The FDA and J & J are both working to confirm the results of the asbestos testing and ensure that there are no additional incidents of contamination. J & J said the levels of asbestos allegedly found in the sample was small and that “it has not been confirmed whether cross-contamination with other products occurred, whether the sample came from a sealed bottle or whether the product tested is authentic.”
J & J claims that the sources from which they get the ore for their talcum powder from vendors that meet all cleanliness standards. J & J further asserts that there have been thousands of tests for asbestos over the years, which have yielded negative results.
The FDA is standing by its testing practices and the results. The FDA did acknowledge that they do not know of any adverse incident reports connected to this specific batch of contaminated talcum powder.
Will There be More Talcum Powder Lawsuits?
Many lawsuits have been filed against J & J by individuals who claim talcum powder causes cancer. The plaintiffs in these cases also claim that J & J was negligent because they did not warn consumers of the dangerous health risks associated with using its products. Whether this new recall of talcum powder leads to additional recalls or claims of negligence remains to be seen.
Contact Alonso Krangle, LLP, if you are concerned about asbestos exposure from talcum powder. If you have been diagnosed with cancer after using talcum powder, you may be eligible to file a claim against Johnson & Johnson. Call our lawyers today at 800-403-6191 for a free evaluation of your talcum powder claim.
I was involved in an accident and needed a good Personal Injury Attorney. A friend referred me to David Krangle of Alonso Krangle LLP. After my initial phone conversation with David, I was confident that I found the right Attorney. David was not only extremely thorough, he kept me updated on every stage of my case. Most importantly, he was always available for questions and followed-up promptly. In most cases, the same day. Since there was a 3-hour time zone difference, I was very appreciative from a client stand point.
With his expertise and guidance, I had a successful outcome. I felt very fortunate that David and his wonderful staff represented me.
If you ever find yourself in need of expert legal advice and guidance. I highly recommend you contact David Krangle of Alonso Krangle LLP. You’ll be in good hands!