India: Maharashtra cancels Johnson & Johnson baby powder manufacturing licence
Johnson & Johnson
More than a month after Johnson & Johnson announced that it will stop the sale of its talc-based baby powder globally in 2023, the Indian state of Maharashtra on Friday cancelled the manufacturing licence of the pharmaceutical company.
Reportedly, the state's Food & Drug Administration (FDA) cancelled the company's licence to manufacture the baby powder citing an inspection where it found its premier baby product to be sub-standard in quality.
The agency collected samples from Pune and Nashik for quality checks and found the pH value of the powder to be much higher than the permissible levels.
Consequently, the US-based company was issued a show-cause notice and ordered to recall all its stocksas the use of the product could affect the health and skin of newborn babies, according to an FDA statement.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
Why did FSSAI ban the sale of Old Monk, Antiquity Blue and other liquor brands?
)
Punjab Assembly passes resolution against Centre's mandatory E20 petrol rollout
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Sujatha Vijayakumar? The producer defending daughter Aarti in Ravi Mohan divorce battle
)
Who is Devendra Nath Mahto, Jharkhand’s 'Sonam Wangchuk' fasting for protesting students?
)
'World's most beautiful village' with only 627 people generated Rs 58 lakh in traffic fines in 2025
)
Indian vessel sinks after Red Sea attack off Yemen; all crew rescued
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 longest flights in the world - Singapore, Qantas, Qatar and others
)
Tamil Nadu leader Udhayanidhi Stalin draws severe backlash over derogatory remark against Trisha
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
Another assassination attempt? Armed man arrested at Trump's golf course ahead of presidential visit to LA
)
Munir-protege Mohsin Naqvi’s claim of unearthing huge scam triggers tremors in Pakistan’s power corridors
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
WMO warns Super El Niño is set to become monstrous between Aug-Oct - This was 'only a warm-up act'
)
Why did India turn down the US offer for F-35 fighter jets? EXPLAINED
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
‘India’s FCRA bill an attack on Christians, could hit bilateral ties,’ says US lawmaker
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Trump, Putin kissing in Amsterdam? Pride parade’s ‘couple’ goes viral | WATCH
)
'Should not be bullied': CJP says movement will expand beyond protests. Politics, or something bigger?
)
Did military GPS jamming cause a plane to crash in New Mexico? Here's what a report says
)
Trump goes 'bing bing bing' 11 times within 5 seconds at Iran war briefing
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Influencer killed on livestream: Mexican cartel boss' son asked dad to kill woman who broke up with him
)
Ghajini villain Pradeep Rawat passes away at 74 after battle with cancer
Johnson & Johnson, however, refused to accept the FDA's report and informed that it will challenge it in court. Moreover, the company argued that the sample be sent to the referral laboratory i.e. Central Drugs Laboratory, Govt.of India, Kolkata.
J&J and its controversial product
As reported extensively by WION, in August, J&J announced that it will be discontinuing the sales of its controversial talc-based baby powder globally in 2023.
Read more:Johnson & Johnson to stop selling its talc-based baby powder globally in 2023 as lawsuits mount
"As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, we havemade the commercial decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio. As a result of this transition, talc-based J&J Baby Powder will be discontinued globally in 2023," read the company's statement.
WATCH |Gravitas: Johnson & Johnson to stop selling baby powder linked to cancer
The announcement to cease the product sales globally came two years after J&J halted its sales in USA and Canada.
Read more:Johnson & Johnson recalls several aerosol sunscreen products after detecting cancer-causing agent
For years, J&J talcum powders, especially baby powders have been at the centre of controversy. Over 38,000 lawsuits have been filed by the consumers as well as the survivors, some of whom allege they were hurt by the use of the product. Some of the lawsuits claim the powder contained cancer-causing material like asbestos.
However, despite the mountain of allegations and the termination of talc-based powder sales, J&J continues to claim that its product is safe and perfectly fit for health.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE: