Recently amazon online grocery store recalled a number of items that were claimed to be either expired or damaged. FDA found asbestos levels in a single bottle of Johnson & Johnson’s baby power purchased online. Since then, they have announced a voluntary recall of 33,000 bottles.
According to Now This, there was a certain raw material in the powder called Talc, a mineral used in baby powder to absorb moisture is sometimes mined in close proximity to asbestos deposits, allowing for possible cross-contamination. The World Health Organization considers all of the asbestos to be carcinogenic to humans.
Now This reported that the recall was also announced amidst thousands of lawsuits against the company by individuals claiming their talcum products were a contributor to their cancers. In December 2018, the company was ordered to pay $4.69 billion to 22 women who claimed their ovarian cancer was linked to asbestos contamination in the company’s products. However, a case in South Carolina was ruled in the company’s favor this year, with a panel that ruled in favor and was not a contributor to the plaintiff’s disease. As of June 2019, over 15,000 lawsuits still stand against them with similar claims.
The company stated in their press release that they’re undergoing a rigorous investigation with the FDA in response to the test to determine “the integrity of the tested sample, and the validity of the test results.” Those who bought baby powder from the recalled lot are being advised to stop using it. They can also contact the company for a refund.
