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Johnson & Johnson have been associated with happy poster babies since time immemorial. The company dates back to over a hundred years. It is the pioneer in baby skincare products. The brand boasts of unparalleled formula, gentle products, and the signature Johnsons baby fragrance.
It is the trusted choice of millions of mothers and caregivers across the world. The sale of the Johnsons product is high and widespread.
It’s not an option, but a ritual:
Johnsons baby talc is one of the leading product manufactured by the brand. It is a product, which contains talcum powder, known to act as a barrier between the skin and humidity. Mothers residing in a hot and humid environment vouch for its benefits. It is also one of the highly sold products that the brand manufactures. Applying talcum powder is a ritual followed in most of the houses after a baby’s daily bath ritual to keep the baby dry and fresh.
Most trusted brand for mothers:
In December 2018, the trust of mothers across the globe was at stake when the company was asked to stop using raw materials from its Mulund factory in Mumbai and Baddi factory in Himachal Pradesh. The iconic baby care brand’s talcum powder was suspected of having asbestos in the heavily stocked raw material in Northern and western regions of India.
Following the order by the Drug Controller of India, further production of Talcum powder was stopped with immediate effect at the Johnsons factories. The brand was accused of already knowing that its products contained the deadly asbestos, which leads to several life-threatening ailments as mentioned in NDTV
One-sided, and inflammatory press articles:
The company cooperated with the authorities in the Johnsons baby powder cancer case and the production of the talcum Powder was stopped with immediate effect. The regulator and its counterparts in the state launched an investigation into J&J’s Baby Powder following a Reuters report in December that the firm knew for decades that cancer-causing asbestos could be found in the product. Johnson & Johnson described the Reuters article biased, one-sided, and inflammatory.
The brand was asked to serve information from as early as the 1960s. The brand obliged by providing complete information as and when required. Extensive testing was carried out in lieu of Johnson’s baby powder cancer case.
Under the much talked about Johnson’s baby powder cancer case, the government tests proved that the product was free from asbestos. Finally, Johnson & Johnson resumed the production of its iconic baby powder.
“Johnson & Johnson has resumed production of its Johnson’s Baby Powder at plants in Baddi and Mulund after government-sanctioned testing reaffirmed that the product does not contain asbestos,” J&J said in a statement to Reuters.
“In recent months, regulatory authorities from Singapore, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and Egypt have also reaffirmed the purity of Johnson & Johnson’s talc,” J&J further added.
40 Years of independent studies across the world :
The company later released another statement stating the research, clinical evidence, and nearly 40 years of independent studies across the world supporting the safety of cosmetic talc. The Talc used by Johnson and Johnson is Pharmaceutical grade Talc and is of the topmost and superior quality.
According to the American Cancer Society, talc is not a known carcinogen. Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral made up mainly of the elements magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. As a powder, it absorbs moisture well and helps cut down on friction.
As per the accusations made in the Johnsons baby powder cancer case, talc contains Asbestos, a mineral often associated with the cause of the terminal disease cancer. The traces of Asbestos are known to exist in the body after decades of consumption. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos also causes other forms of cancer and progressive lung disease. Further related to the Johnson and Johnson powder cancer case few cases have been reported against the brand for causing ovarian cancer in women who reportedly used the talcum powder in their genitals.
These cases were also dismissed after the talcum powder was proved to be without any carcinogen. Moreover, in the Talcum powder bottle, it is clearly mentioned that the product is strictly made for external use.
The correct method of using talcum powder:
The correct method is to take it between the palm and rub it before gently applying it on the skin. This ensures the particles do not move in the air or is not inhaled. The wrong method of using any product can lead to issues. It is imperative to read the instructions before using any product, not just baby powder.
The Johnsons baby powder cancer case was dismissed after the Johnson and Johnson baby powder was found free from asbestos. The production was resumed at the Mulund factory, Mumbai & Baddi Factory, Himachal Pradesh after the brand was freed from all the charges. This came as a relief to mothers who have always used Johnsons for their babies.
