Johnson and Johnson for its baby products and you probably know that the company faces lawsuits of its baby powder more than 90,000 lawsuits have been filed against the baby talc maker. The allegations are that the baby powder produced by the company was laced with asbestos.

Lawsuit over Johnson & Johnson's 'toxic' baby powder: Cancer victims blocking $8.9 bn deal

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.

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 stocks as the use of the product could affect the health and skin of newborn babies, according to an FDA statement. Maharashtra Food & Drugs Administration has cancelled the manufacturing license of Johnson’s Baby Powder of Johnson’s & Johnson’s Pvt. Ltd., Mulund, Mumbai after samples of the powder drawn at Pune & Nashik were declared "Not of Standard Quality" by the govt pic.twitter.com/4iFIdNd9RI — ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2022 × 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 have made 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:

India: Maharashtra cancels Johnson & Johnson baby powder manufacturing licence

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked Johnson & Johnson's baby powder production license for its Mulund factory and ordered the corporation to remove the product from the market.

India: Maharashtra cancels j&j baby powder manufacturing licence over quality concerns

Johnson & Johnson will stop selling their controversial talcum powder which has been linked to multiple cases of cancer in women. The company rejected the cancer links, claiming the decision was influenced by 'evolving consumer trends'. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Johnson & Johnson to stop selling baby powder linked to cancer

Let us take a look at stories generating interest across WION's social media channels.

Trending On WION: Johnson & Johnson to stop selling its 'cancer causing' talc-based baby powder

Johnson &amp; Johnson's baby shampoo samples failed quality tests conducted by the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan, according to a public notice from the state`s drugs watchdog, findings that were rejected by the US drugmaker.

This comes just a few months after Indian authorities launched an investigation into J&amp;J's Baby Powder to see if it contains cancer-causing asbestos. J&amp;J said in late February it had resumed production of baby talc after government tests found no asbestos in the product.

The Rajasthan Drugs Control Organisation's notice dated March 5 said that the samples of J&amp;J's baby shampoo taken from two batches had failed the quality test as they contained "harmful ingredients". It did not elaborate.

A J&amp;J spokeswoman said that the results it received from the watchdog indicated that formaldehyde had been discovered in the samples.&nbsp;

Formaldehyde, used in making building materials, is a known carcinogen.

"We do not accept the interim results given to us, which mentioned samples to 'contain harmful ingredients- identification positive for formaldehyde'," she told Reuters.&nbsp;

"We unequivocally maintain that our products are safe and our assurance process is amongst the most rigorous in the world," the J&amp;J spokeswoman said, adding that the company has contested the interim test results of the government analysis that were based on "unknown and unspecified methods".

The two batches of the baby shampoo tested are due to expire in September 2021 and were manufactured at the company`s plant in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, according to the watchdog`s notice.

"We have confirmed to the Indian authorities that we do not add formaldehyde as an ingredient in our shampoo nor does Johnson`s baby shampoo contain any ingredient that can release formaldehyde over time," the company spokeswoman said.&nbsp;

The Rajasthan Drugs Control Organisation and India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) were not immediately available to comment.

The federal regulator and its counterparts in Indian states launched an investigation into J&amp;J`s Baby Powder following a Reuters report in December that the firm knew for decades that cancer-causing asbestos could be found in the product.

J&amp;J has described the Reuters article as "one-sided, false and inflammatory".

J&amp;J's Baby Powder is one of the most recognised foreign brands in the country. The company leads sales in the Indian baby and child toiletries market, according to market research provider Euromonitor. 
 
&nbsp;

Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo samples failed quality tests conducted by the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan, according to a public notice from the state`s drugs watchdog, findings that were rejected by the US drugmaker.

Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo samples failed quality tests conducted by the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan, according to a public notice from the state`s drugs watchdog, findings that were rejected by the US drugmaker. This comes just a few months after Indian authorities launched an investigation into J&J's Baby Powder to see if it contains cancer-causing asbestos. J&J said in late February it had resumed production of baby talc after government tests found no asbestos in the product. The Rajasthan Drugs Control Organisation's notice dated March 5 said that the samples of J&J's baby shampoo taken from two batches had failed the quality test as they contained "harmful ingredients". It did not elaborate. A J&J spokeswoman said that the results it received from the watchdog indicated that formaldehyde had been discovered in the samples. Formaldehyde, used in making building materials, is a known carcinogen. "We do not accept the interim results given to us, which mentioned samples to 'contain harmful ingredients- identification positive for formaldehyde'," she told Reuters. "We unequivocally maintain that our products are safe and our assurance process is amongst the most rigorous in the world," the J&J spokeswoman said, adding that the company has contested the interim test results of the government analysis that were based on "unknown and unspecified methods". The two batches of the baby shampoo tested are due to expire in September 2021 and were manufactured at the company`s plant in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, according to the watchdog`s notice. "We have confirmed to the Indian authorities that we do not add formaldehyde as an ingredient in our shampoo nor does Johnson`s baby shampoo contain any ingredient that can release formaldehyde over time," the company spokeswoman said. The Rajasthan Drugs Control Organisation and India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) were not immediately available to comment. The federal regulator and its counterparts in Indian states launched an investigation into J&J`s Baby Powder following a Reuters report in December that the firm knew for decades that cancer-causing asbestos could be found in the product. J&J has described the Reuters article as "one-sided, false and inflammatory". J&J's Baby Powder is one of the most recognised foreign brands in the country. The company leads sales in the Indian baby and child toiletries market, according to market research provider Euromonitor.

Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo samples fail quality test; company rejects findings

Sri Lanka has halted imports of Johnson &amp; Johnson Baby Powder until the company proves its product is free from cancer-causing asbestos, two government officials and the product's local distributor told Reuters.

Stocks of the product already in Sri Lanka can still be sold, but there will be no new imports of the talc, a popular healthcare product across Sri Lanka and much of Asia, until J&amp;J India, from where Sri Lanka imports the product, provides fresh test results.

On December 14, Reuters reported that the US drugs and consumer products group knew for decades that asbestos lurked in its Baby Powder, leading to tests in several countries, including in India.

The report was based on thousands of pages of company memos, internal reports, and other confidential documents.

J&amp;J has described the Reuters story as "one-sided, false, and inflammatory".

Kamal Jayasinghe, chief executive of Sri Lanka's National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA), which is part of the health ministry, said it had informed the distributor, A Baur &amp; Co, that it would require further tests for it to continue importing the powder.

"We have held their re-registration and informed the distributor to submit quality reports from an accredited laboratory to ensure there is no asbestos in their products,” Jayasinghe told Reuters.

The license for A Baur &amp; Co to import the product expired in December, a second person at the NMRA said.

Shalutha Perera, head of the consumer for A Baur, told Reuters the firm has informed J&amp;J in India of the suspension of the licensing process.

"J&amp;J India directly handles all the regulatory matters," he said.

Perera said the NMRA contacted A Baur in December regarding new asbestos testing.

A spokeswoman for J&amp;J India declined to comment on the halt of shipments to Sri Lanka but said the company "is in full compliance with current Indian regulatory requirements for the manufacturing and testing of our talc".

"We are fully cooperating with the Indian government and are awaiting results from their testing," she added.

The spokeswoman said the product was routinely tested by both suppliers and independent labs to ensure it is free of asbestos.

Sri Lanka has halted imports of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder until the company proves its product is free from cancer-causing asbestos, two government officials and the product's local distributor told Reuters.

Sri Lanka has halted imports of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder until the company proves its product is free from cancer-causing asbestos, two government officials and the product's local distributor told Reuters. Stocks of the product already in Sri Lanka can still be sold, but there will be no new imports of the talc, a popular healthcare product across Sri Lanka and much of Asia, until J&J India, from where Sri Lanka imports the product, provides fresh test results. On December 14, Reuters reported that the US drugs and consumer products group knew for decades that asbestos lurked in its Baby Powder, leading to tests in several countries, including in India. The report was based on thousands of pages of company memos, internal reports, and other confidential documents. J&J has described the Reuters story as "one-sided, false, and inflammatory". Kamal Jayasinghe, chief executive of Sri Lanka's National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA), which is part of the health ministry, said it had informed the distributor, A Baur & Co, that it would require further tests for it to continue importing the powder. "We have held their re-registration and informed the distributor to submit quality reports from an accredited laboratory to ensure there is no asbestos in their products,” Jayasinghe told Reuters. The license for A Baur & Co to import the product expired in December, a second person at the NMRA said. Shalutha Perera, head of the consumer for A Baur, told Reuters the firm has informed J&J in India of the suspension of the licensing process. "J&J India directly handles all the regulatory matters," he said. Perera said the NMRA contacted A Baur in December regarding new asbestos testing. A spokeswoman for J&J India declined to comment on the halt of shipments to Sri Lanka but said the company "is in full compliance with current Indian regulatory requirements for the manufacturing and testing of our talc". "We are fully cooperating with the Indian government and are awaiting results from their testing," she added. The spokeswoman said the product was routinely tested by both suppliers and independent labs to ensure it is free of asbestos.

Sri Lanka halts imports of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder pending asbestos tests

Bangladesh&nbsp;will collect and test samples of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-regulator-orders-jj-to-stop-using-raw-material-to-make-baby-powder-in-india-185628">Johnson &amp; Johnson's Baby Powder</a> for asbestos in a couple of days, its main testing authority said on Friday, after a Reuters report last Friday that the firm knew for decades that cancer-causing asbestos could be found in the product.

The&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), under the Industries Ministry, said it will either do the tests inside or outside the country.

"We take this issue seriously and within a couple of days we will collect samples from the market ...," S.M. Isahaque Ali, a director at the BSTI, told Reuters.

He said&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;wouldn't stop the Baby Powder from being marketed unless it discovers asbestos is present.

J&amp;J has described the Reuters article as "one-sided, false and inflammatory".

J&amp;J spokespersons in India and&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;could not be immediately reached for comment on the&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;government move.

J&amp;J said on Thursday that its talc is routinely tested by both suppliers and independent labs to ensure that it is free of asbestos. It told Reuters in a statement: "All talc in India is sourced and exclusively sold in India and surrounding markets including Sri Lanka,&nbsp;Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and fully meets the regulatory standards of the Government of India".

Bangladesh will collect and test samples of Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder for asbestos in a couple of days, its main testing authority said on Friday, after a Reuters report last Friday that the firm knew for decades that cancer-causing asbestos could be found in the product.

Bangladesh will collect and test samples of Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder for asbestos in a couple of days, its main testing authority said on Friday, after a Reuters report last Friday that the firm knew for decades that cancer-causing asbestos could be found in the product. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), under the Industries Ministry, said it will either do the tests inside or outside the country. "We take this issue seriously and within a couple of days we will collect samples from the market ...," S.M. Isahaque Ali, a director at the BSTI, told Reuters. He said Bangladesh wouldn't stop the Baby Powder from being marketed unless it discovers asbestos is present. J&J has described the Reuters article as "one-sided, false and inflammatory". J&J spokespersons in India and Bangladesh could not be immediately reached for comment on the Bangladesh government move. J&J said on Thursday that its talc is routinely tested by both suppliers and independent labs to ensure that it is free of asbestos. It told Reuters in a statement: "All talc in India is sourced and exclusively sold in India and surrounding markets including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and fully meets the regulatory standards of the Government of India".

Bangladesh to collect, test samples of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder

India's drugs regulator has ordered <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/johnson-johnson-shares-plunge-after-report-on-asbestos-in-baby-powder-184131">Johnson &amp; Johnson</a>&nbsp;(J&amp;J) to stop manufacturing its Baby Powder using raw materials in two of its Indian factories until test results prove they are free of asbestos, a senior official said on Thursday.

The official at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), who declined to be named citing the sensitivity of the matter, said a written order had been sent to the US company telling it to stop using the "huge quantities" of raw materials stocked in its plants in northern and western India.

The company said on Wednesday that Indian drug authorities visited some of its facilities and took "tests and samples" of its talcum powder. It also said that the safety of its cosmetic talc was based on a long history of safe use and decades of research and clinical evidence by independent researchers and scientific review boards across the world.

The visits came as the CDSCO and state-based food and drug administrations launched an investigation into J&amp;J's Baby Powder following a Reuters report last Friday that the firm knew for decades that cancer-causing asbestos could be found in the product. J&amp;J has described the Reuters article as "one-sided, false and inflammatory".

The company told Reuters that it is in full compliance with the current Indian regulatory requirements for the manufacturing and testing of its talc.

"All talc in India is sourced and exclusively sold in India and surrounding markets including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and fully meets the regulatory standards of the Government of India," the company said in an emailed statement.&nbsp;

J&amp;J also said its talc is routinely tested by both suppliers and independent labs to ensure that it is free of asbestos.

Asked if the order meant the company would have to stop producing its ubiquitous baby powder in India for now, the official at the drugs regulator said that was "the inference you have to take" at least as far as the stores of raw materials were concerned.

"We have told them until this investigation concludes, you should not use the raw material. Test results will take time," the official said. "Testing for asbestos is not a routine procedure. It might be in traces. It will require us to develop a method and all those things."

Familiar Band&nbsp;

J&amp;J's Baby Powder is one of the most recognised foreign brands in India along with Colgate toothpaste and Surf detergent.&nbsp;

The company started selling its Baby Powder in India in 1948, just a year after the country won independence from the British. Presenting gift boxes containing the product and others aimed at newborns is almost a family ritual in this country of 1.3 billion people, 28 per cent of whom are aged between 0-14.

The company also commands a strong retail distribution network through small pharmacies, larger stores and the internet.

There is yet to be any significant signs of a backlash against J&amp;J products in India because of the scare. At eight pharmacies across India visited by Reuters reporters on Thursday, seven said J&amp;J remained the No. 1 seller of powder for babies.

That doesn`t mean it isn't under pressure from local and international competitors who sell talc-type powders, such as Bengaluru-based Himalaya Herbals, and Italy`s Artsana, which produces Chicco baby brands.&nbsp;

And some individual consumers say they are now very wary of J&amp;J`s Baby Powder.

"It is really very, very shocking," said Sitaram Beria, a chartered accountant in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar. He said he stopped applying J&amp;J powder on his six-month-old baby after hearing about the Reuters report over the weekend.

J&amp;J leads sales in the Indian baby and child toiletries market, which market research provider Euromonitor estimates would be worth 12.5 billion rupees ($178 million) this year, and forecasts will grow 84 per cent to 23 billion rupees in 2022.

Euromonitor did not give a breakdown for baby powder alone but said J&amp;J was the biggest player in the overall segment, followed by Mumbai-based VVF Ltd, Artsana, Wipro of Bengaluru and Himalaya.

Himalaya said in a statement that its herbs-based baby care products "are exclusively promoted and recommended by over 40,000 doctors in the country, which is the greatest endorsement for us," while declining to provide any financial figures.

The other companies could not be reached for comment.

India's drugs regulator has ordered Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to stop manufacturing its Baby Powder using raw materials in two of its Indian factories until test results prove they are free of asbestos, a senior official said on Thursday.

India's drugs regulator has ordered Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to stop manufacturing its Baby Powder using raw materials in two of its Indian factories until test results prove they are free of asbestos, a senior official said on Thursday. The official at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), who declined to be named citing the sensitivity of the matter, said a written order had been sent to the US company telling it to stop using the "huge quantities" of raw materials stocked in its plants in northern and western India. The company said on Wednesday that Indian drug authorities visited some of its facilities and took "tests and samples" of its talcum powder. It also said that the safety of its cosmetic talc was based on a long history of safe use and decades of research and clinical evidence by independent researchers and scientific review boards across the world. The visits came as the CDSCO and state-based food and drug administrations launched an investigation into J&J's Baby Powder following a Reuters report last Friday that the firm knew for decades that cancer-causing asbestos could be found in the product. J&J has described the Reuters article as "one-sided, false and inflammatory". The company told Reuters that it is in full compliance with the current Indian regulatory requirements for the manufacturing and testing of its talc. "All talc in India is sourced and exclusively sold in India and surrounding markets including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and fully meets the regulatory standards of the Government of India," the company said in an emailed statement. J&J also said its talc is routinely tested by both suppliers and independent labs to ensure that it is free of asbestos. Asked if the order meant the company would have to stop producing its ubiquitous baby powder in India for now, the official at the drugs regulator said that was "the inference you have to take" at least as far as the stores of raw materials were concerned. "We have told them until this investigation concludes, you should not use the raw material. Test results will take time," the official said. "Testing for asbestos is not a routine procedure. It might be in traces. It will require us to develop a method and all those things." Familiar Band J&J's Baby Powder is one of the most recognised foreign brands in India along with Colgate toothpaste and Surf detergent. The company started selling its Baby Powder in India in 1948, just a year after the country won independence from the British. Presenting gift boxes containing the product and others aimed at newborns is almost a family ritual in this country of 1.3 billion people, 28 per cent of whom are aged between 0-14. The company also commands a strong retail distribution network through small pharmacies, larger stores and the internet. There is yet to be any significant signs of a backlash against J&J products in India because of the scare. At eight pharmacies across India visited by Reuters reporters on Thursday, seven said J&J remained the No. 1 seller of powder for babies. That doesn`t mean it isn't under pressure from local and international competitors who sell talc-type powders, such as Bengaluru-based Himalaya Herbals, and Italy`s Artsana, which produces Chicco baby brands. And some individual consumers say they are now very wary of J&J`s Baby Powder. "It is really very, very shocking," said Sitaram Beria, a chartered accountant in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar. He said he stopped applying J&J powder on his six-month-old baby after hearing about the Reuters report over the weekend. J&J leads sales in the Indian baby and child toiletries market, which market research provider Euromonitor estimates would be worth 12.5 billion rupees ($178 million) this year, and forecasts will grow 84 per cent to 23 billion rupees in 2022. Euromonitor did not give a breakdown for baby powder alone but said J&J was the biggest player in the overall segment, followed by Mumbai-based VVF Ltd, Artsana, Wipro of Bengaluru and Himalaya. Himalaya said in a statement that its herbs-based baby care products "are exclusively promoted and recommended by over 40,000 doctors in the country, which is the greatest endorsement for us," while declining to provide any financial figures. The other companies could not be reached for comment.

Amid cancer scare, drug regulator body asks Johnson & Johnson not to use baby powder raw material

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