Drug Regulators Collect Samples From Johnson & Johnson Facilities

Johnson and Johnson has denied the accusation and stated that the product does not contain asbestos.

A recent investigation by Reuters claimed that the talcum powder was contaminated by carcinogenic asbestos.

(Photo: iStockphoto)

Drug regulators Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and local Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials have visited a few of Johnson and Johnson facilities and collected tests and samples, said the organisation on 19 December.

“Today, a few of our facilities were visited by the CDSCO and local FDA authorities and we are fully cooperating with them by providing tests and samples,” it said in a statement.

A recent investigation by Reuters claimed that the talcum powder was contaminated by carcinogenic asbestos, making it poisonous and life-threatening for women using it on themselves. The main allegation of the report was that Johnson & Johnson knew this all along but decided to hide it.

Johnson and Johnson has denied the accusation and stated that the product does not contain the substance.

“We have scientific evidence to prove that our talcum powder is safe and beneficial to use. We unequivocally stand by the safety of our products, are fully compliant with regulatory standards and requirements in India and will continue to work with the regulatory authorities,” it added.

A spokesperson for J&J said that FDA and CDSCO had earlier confirmed that their products comply with the Indian standards and are free of asbestos.

“It is important to understand that the safety of cosmetic talc is based on a long history of safe use and decades of research and clinical evidence by independent researchers and scientific review boards across the world,” the spokesperson said.

Hundreds of lawsuits from women have claimed that regularly applying products like Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower to their genitals has caused ovarian cancer.

Around 11,700 plaintiffs have accused the company’s talc of causing their cancer, while since as early as 1972, different tests by labs had already found asbestos in the talc, information that the company hid from the FDA.

(With inputs from IANS)