US drugmaker Johnson & Johnson will suspend worldwide sale of talcum powder, starting in 2023, after thousands of complaints questioning the safety of this product for children.
Johnson & Johnson announced in a statement that it has made the commercial decision to replace talc with cornstarch beginning in 2023. “As part of a global portfolio evaluation, we have made a commercial decision to move to a talc powder for children based on cornstarch,” the company said, citing Reuters. “.
The company revealed that the cornstarch-based baby product is already sold in several countries. In 2020, Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talcum powder in the United States and Canada, after allegations the product could cause cancer, causing demand to plummet.
According to Reuters, Johnson & Johnson is facing about 38,000 lawsuits filed by consumers who say products based on talc, a clay mineral made up of magnesium silicate, have caused cancer due to asbestos contamination.
The allegations surfaced in 2018, with information indicating that Johnson & Johnson had known for decades that talcum powder contained asbestos, a mineral similar in composition and properties to asbestos, a substance with adverse health effects.
The US drugmaker denies the allegations, which it considers “misinformation” and argues that it is safe to use talcum powder, despite the product being suspended. “Our position on the safety of our cosmetic powder has not changed,” the company says. “Decades of scientific analysis by medical experts around the world confirms that Johnson’s Baby Talc Powder is safe, asbestos-free and does not cause cancer.” North Amarica.
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