Its talc-based powder, which hasn’t been bought within the United States and Canada since 2020, is on the middle of tens of 1000’s of court cases filed by means of ladies who’ve advanced ovarian most cancers after the usage of common talcum powder
Johnson & Johnson says it stays assured within the protection of the product. But, in a commentary Friday, the corporate mentioned it might prevent promoting talc-based powder world wide subsequent 12 months as a part of a “worldwide portfolio assessment.”
“We continuously evaluate and optimize our portfolio to best position the business for long-term growth,” the corporate mentioned in a commentary. “This transition will help simplify our product offerings, deliver sustainable innovation, and meet the needs of our consumers, customers and evolving global trends.”
A handful of talcum powder corporations have put caution labels on their merchandise, however Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) argued this sort of label can be complicated, as it stood by means of its product. Some clinical research have proven that ladies have an greater chance of ovarian most cancers with talc use within the genital space, however others don’t.
Lawsuits were filed in opposition to the corporate alleging that asbestos in its talcum powder reasons most cancers. A St. Louis jury delivered a $4.7 billion verdict in opposition to the corporate in 2018, announcing the corporate used to be negligent and didn’t warn shoppers about imaginable well being dangers from its child powder.
“Our position on the safety of our cosmetic talc remains unchanged. We stand firmly behind the decades of independent scientific analysis by medical experts around the world that confirms talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer,” it mentioned in Friday’s announcement.