One of the things I always emphasize is to stay abreast with the latest developments and trends. That is largely beneficial because you may trail behind, which can be costly. Of course, you should not get sucked too deep into the world of news media. Much of it can be misleading. However, always be on the lookout for important developments and trends. Today I am discussing one such development that some may not know yet. This regards the recent banning of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder in Zimbabwe. Last night I asked someone with a toddler, and they did not even know; seems many do not.
Ministry Of Health Bans Johnson & Johnson’s Powder In Zimbabwe
The Ministry of Health recently issued a communique to all Provincial Medical Directors. Part of the communique read as follows:
The Ministry of Health & Childcare is banning the importation, distribution, and sale of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder containing the talc ingredient from the market. Inspectors are advised to document their findings and the products must be destroyed or recalled to the manufacturers. Tanzania Bureau of Standards on the 19th of April 2023 banned the importation and distribution and sale of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder containing the talc ingredient. The product is still popular in South Africa amid indications that most consumers are unaware of its potential risks. Given Zimbabwe’s significant importation of health products from South Africa, there is a high risk that the contaminated baby powder could still be finding its way into the Zimbabwean market.
Why Has Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder Been Banned: Detailed Look
Interesting Fact: Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder in Canada and the US 3 years ago. This was due to plummeting sales due to concerns about talc. Johnson & Johnson had to recall tens of thousands of bottles of its talc-based baby powder. This was after the FDA, the food and drug regulatory authority in the US had found trace amounts of asbestos in the talc-based baby powder.
The banning of the product has its roots in one of the ingredients. This outgoing version of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder contains or contained an ingredient called talc. Several research studies have indicated that talc is carcinogenic, i.e. it causes cancer. There are presently more than 40000 lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson regarding this issue. These are predominantly from cancer patients. A large number of them are females suffering from ovarian cancer.
Interesting Fact: There are lawsuits pertaining to talc against Johnson & Johnson where the plaintiffs won. One notable lawsuit entailed 22 plaintiffs. The verdict was that Johnson & Johnson was to compensate those plaintiffs. The total payment to the 22 plaintiffs amounted to a staggering US$4.7 billion. This was a lawsuit where some women and their loved ones claimed to develop ovarian cancers due to the talc in the baby powder. The studies to back up their claims are solid. For instance, in one study, talc was present in ovarian cancerous tumours.
What Is The Big Deal About Talc And Why It Is Bad?
Talc, also known as talcum powder (i.e. perfumed talc), is a soft mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate that has a soapy feel and a greenish, whitish, or greyish colour, usually occurring in foliated masses. Its desired quality facilitates the adsorption of moisture on the skin. The major issue with talc is the high likelihood of it being contaminated with asbestos. Talc and asbestos are naturally-occurring minerals. They both tend to form close to each other, so cross-contamination is mostly inevitable. Many studies have shown that application of talc on the genitals surges the chances of ovarian cancer in females by up to 60 percent.
NB: It is not just the talc-based baby powder in Johnson & Johnson’s portfolio. Band-Aid and the Listerine mouthwash are also talc-based.
Johnson & Johnson’s Response To All This
Of course, as a brand, you find ways to handle PR amidst such damning circumstances diplomatically. You may notice the choice of words in what I am about to cite. Here is what part of the communique that Johnson & Johnson issued said:
As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, we have made the commercial decision to transition to an all corn starch-based baby powder portfolio. As a result of this transition, talc-based baby powder will be discontinued globally in 2023.
Interestingly, Johnson & Johnson still insists that talc is harmless. However, several other studies and real-life cases suggest otherwise. Here is what Johnson & Johnson said:
Our position on the safety of our cosmetic talc remains unchanged. We stand firmly behind decades of independent scientific analysis by medical experts worldwide that confirm that talc-based Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.
What Is The Way Forward For You?
Johnson & Johnson indicated they should be transitioning to a corn-based Johnson & Johnson baby powder. This is a product that already exists and is available in other countries. If you have been using the talc-based one, it is wise to discontinue using it immediately. You can switch to other brands just as long they do not contain talc. Then when the corn-based Johnson & Johnson baby powder is available, you can revert if you like it. Given this background, moving away from Johnson & Johnson baby powder, in general, may be safe.
That is the latest concerning Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder. Many consumers in Zimbabwe are in the dark about this. It would be helpful if we all help spread the word. It would also help if businesses heed the call and do the needful. Kindly share the article for more awareness, and if you have any comments, kindly share them below.
