FOLLOWING findings from a study which unearthed that a chemical used in the manufacturing of Johnson and Johnson baby power causes cancer, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has ordered retailers and pharmacies to destroy or immediately stop selling the J&J baby powder products to the public.
By Staff Reporter
Research by the American Academy of Paediatrics gathered that the talc used in the production of the baby powder was highly toxic due to contamination with carcinogen asbestos. Tanzania Bureau of Standards on the 19th of April 2023, banned the importation and distribution and sale of Johnson and Johnson’s baby powder containing the talc ingredient.
In a communique to all Provincial Medical Doctors, Dr Jasper Chimedza, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health and Child Care told all provincial
Ministry of Health and Child Care is banning the importation and distribution and sale of Johnson and Johnson’s baby powder containing the talc ingredient with immediate effect.
“Environmental Health Officers and Technicians are advised to remove all Johnson and Johnson’s baby powder containing the talc ingredient from the market. Inspectors are advised to document their findings and the products most be destroyed or recalled to the manufacturers,” said Dr Chimedza.
On 18 April 2023, an American television channel, Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) reported that Johnson and Johnson, an American multinational corporation, had assumed the liability to pay eight point nine billion United States Dollars (US$8.9 billion) to the medical industry in compensation over allegations that the company’s baby powder was causing cancer.