Johnson & Johnson, Baby Powder, and Asbestos
A series of lawsuits and reports have recently linked the talc in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder to asbestos. Johnson & Johnson is the world’s most famous supplier of baby powder.
A 2018 Reuters investigative report broke down the timeline using officially released documents from the company
According to the investigative report:
- In 1957, trace amounts of asbestos fibers are found in samples of talc from Johnson & Johnson’s Italian supplier.
- In the mid-1960s, talc from Vermont mines owned by a subsidiary company of Johnson & Johnson is also found to contain traces of asbestos. Sample tests continue to find small amounts of talc through the 1970s.
- Instead of reporting all findings, Johnson & Johnson only submitted select studies to the FDA in the mid-1970s. The company emphasized studies that fit their agenda and claimed that their talc contained no asbestos.
- The company even used its influence to craft its own studies in the mid-1970s—in which they told researchers what results they wanted.
- The company also tried to influence government studies by having its subsidiary companies act as advisers.
- Studies continued to find trace amounts of asbestos in the company’s baby powder through the early 2000s, when the company started sourcing its talc from China.
- Johnson & Johnson is currently facing lawsuits from nearly 12,000 plaintiffs who are claiming that their products caused them to develop cancer.
- Johnson & Johnson disputes the claims in the Reuters report and is looking to appeal the verdicts.
- At this time, there are have been no announcements for a recall of Johnson & Johnson baby powder.
Asbestos denial is a common theme among American talc mining companies, which all claim their cosmetic-grade talc does not contain asbestos.
Outside of the U.S., many countries have ignored the dangers of asbestos and have lax regulations, allowing asbestos-containing talc to be mined and used in baby powder. Though not common, it’s possible for baby powder with asbestos to be imported to the United States from these foreign countries.
Johnson & Johnson Talc: Breaking News
In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced that it would no longer sell Johnson’s Baby Powder® in the United States and Canada.
The corporation made this decision after several lawsuits brought awareness to the link between asbestos in talc-based products and mesothelioma. The concerned public stopped buying Johnson’s Baby Powder in response.
Despite the many victims who developed cancer after using the company’s talc-based powder for years, Johnson & Johnson continues to deny that its products cause any harm.