Every parent wants the best for their child. It is precisely for this reason that they always make sure to choose the best products for their young, especially when they are still young. Although many parents seem to regard world-known brands as safe, this does not protect them from certain risks. A few weeks ago, it was the American giant Johnson and Johnson who found himself in the hot seat, recalling 33,000 of its products to respond to accusations of asbestos presence in them.
After examining one of the brand's talcum bottles sold online, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reportedly found trace amounts of asbestos, a carcinogen. In a press release, Johnson & Johnson wishes to make it clear that this will not exceed 0.00002%. An information relayed in an article to remind that the company would not be at its first crisis. The latter has been condemned in the past to pay billions of dollars to women with ovarian cancer, attributing it to the use of talc for their personal hygiene.
Johnson & Johnson recalls 33,000 baby powders by "caution"
On Friday, October 18, 2019, the pharmaceutical group announced the recall of no less than 33,000 bottles of baby talcum specifying that this decision was taken by "excess of caution". An initiative of the US group following the FDA review and its accusations. A second evaluation was conducted by the brand, which used two external companies to carry out new tests. In a press release, she states:
"Fifteen new tests of the same bottle of Johnson's baby talcum powder previously tested by the FDA drug agency in the US failed to detect asbestos"
48 additional tests were also carried out on a sample of the 33 000 products recalled, ensuring that the latter contained no trace of the carcinogenic substance.
According to Reuters, the FDA maintains its positions and ensures the validity of its results. Johnson & Johnson said it was working with the organization to find out more, saying it was too early to know if cross-contamination of the sample had created a "false positive", if the sample being examined was tightly sealed closed at the time of the examination and especially, if the powder was authentic or counterfeit.
Results and documents that sow doubt
Although the company is trying to defend its baby talcum powder and ensures that it is safe, it has not prevented it from being accused many times, often for the same reason: the presence of asbestos. In one of his articles, Reuters pointed out that between the 1970s and 2000s, many tests would have proved positive and would have confirmed the parcel presence of the dangerous substance in the Johnson & Johnson powder. The latter suggesting that the pharmaceutical leader was well aware of the presence of asbestos in his baby powder but refrained from informing the health inspectors and the public.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a resistant and insulating material previously used massively until it was banned in 1973 because of many dangers it causes for health. It was discovered during the 70s that this material was a real health disaster and was linked to many diseases, including cancer.
Indeed, asbestos is known to cause the mesothelium, which is a cancer of the mesothelial surfaces that affects the lining of the lungs, the abdominal cavity or the heart envelope.