Already bowed in the United States and Canada
Two years after J&J stopped selling its products in the USA and Canada, the company announced that it would stop doing so abroad. The company also announced that it will switch from a talc-based baby powder to a cornstarch-based baby powder.
“As part of a global portfolio assessment, we have I made the commercial decision to switch to a line of baby powder based on cornstarch. As a result of this shift, production of J&J Baby Powder will cease globally in 2023.” Read the company’s statement.
Contains asbestos?
J&J Talcum powders, especially baby powders, have been the subject of debate for years due to claims that they contain asbestos, a known carcinogen. Consumers and survivors claiming harm from the use of the product have filed more than 38,000 lawsuits.
Despite the suspension of sales, the pharmaceutical giant emphasized in its statement that its product is safe.
“Our position on the safety of cosmetic talc has not changed. We stand firmly behind decades of independent scientific analysis by medical experts around the world that confirm that J&J Baby Powder is safe, contains no asbestos, and does not cause cancer. ”
A Reuters report previously revealed that J&J was aware of the harmful effects of its product, according to On the internal memos circulating within the company. However, it doubled its sales by targeting the market of African American women and overweight women.
Two-step Texas play
In addition, J&J used a tactic known as “Texas Two Steps” in February of this year to obtain a moratorium on complaints in an effort to avoid protracted legal battles. According to reports, J&J has transferred responsibility for the baby powder to a recently created subsidiary called LTL Management.
The said institution succeeded in obtaining court approval for its bankruptcy application. It’s important to remember that individual lawsuits are put on hold in bankruptcy cases, and thus J&J was able to circumvent the legal system by taking advantage of a loophole.
