UPDATED Zimbabwe has imposed an immediate ban on the importation of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Baby Powder, citing research by the American Academy of Paediatrics showing the talc used in the production of the power could be “highly toxic”.
Health Secretary Jasper Chimedza issued a circular saying the products must be destroyed or “recalled” to the manufacturers, reports TimesLIVE.
J&J has faced thousands of lawsuits over possible links between its baby powder and ailments in children, repeatedly denying the products cause cancer and challenging claims that the talc it used was contaminated with toxic asbestos.
The company has offered to pay $8.9bn to resolve all current and future claims.
Chimedza said that as Zimbabwe imports most of its health products from South Africa, there was a risk the contaminated baby powder could continue to find its way into the country.
MedicalBrief reported earlier this year that J&J was still supplying SA retailers with its baby powder, more than two years after withdrawing it from US and Canadian shelves after the first contamination claims.
The group’s South African office is unable to say when it will be pulled from local shelves.
J&J responded the TimesLIVE report after publication. The company's full statement is below:
• We no longer produce talc-based Johnson’s® Baby Powder and the product will be discontinued globally in 2023. This is a result of our August 2022 announcement of the commercial decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio. This business decision is unrelated to litigation or the safety of the product. Talc-based Johnson’s® Baby Powder is safe and consumers can continue to purchase the product until supply runs out.
• We have the greatest respect for health authorities and always engage should we be contacted about any of the products in our portfolio. We have clarified our position with the Zimbabwe health authority on this matter.
• We do not believe any decision to stop sales or recall this product is supported by the strong science behind talc-based Johnson’s® Baby Powder. Decades of sound scientific evidence and thousands of tests over the past 40 years, including by independent laboratories, universities, and global health authorities, have repeatedly confirmed that our talc-based powder is safe and does not contain asbestos. We also have rigorous testing standards in place to ensure our cosmetic talc is safe.
• There is a misunderstanding perpetuated in global media reports about settlement proposals and the US legal system. In the US, settlements are a common, legally permissible way of resolving legal claims. Settlements are not admissions of guilt or liability, but rather agreements made by both parties involved to resolve the litigation without a court judgment. There are situations where settlements are reasonable alternatives to trial and in fact, most civil cases in the U.S. are resolved via the settlement process.
LTL, a separate subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, makes information on its proposed settlement publicly available here. This settlement proposal has nothing to do with the safety of talc-based Johnson’s® Baby Powder, which is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.
• We stand firmly behind the safety of talc-based Johnson’s® Baby Powder, which is sold in full compliance with regulatory requirements around the world.
TimesLIVE article – Zimbabwe bans imports of J&J baby powder with immediate effect (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
No date yet for SA withdrawal of J&J baby powder
J&J stops selling its iconic talc baby powder in North America
Cancer victims’ lawyers slam J&J's second bankruptcy bid