On January 28, 2019, the United States Senate took the monumental step
of demanding that consumer products giant, Johnson & Johnson, produce
documents and information relating to asbestos in J&J Baby Powder.
The demand was communicated in a
letter from Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Republican-controlled
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, to J&J
CEO Alex Gorsky. In the letter, Senator Murray cites heavily to the December
2018 Reuters
Investigative Report claiming J&J knew about asbestos in its talc-based Baby Powder and
hid the information from regulators and consumers for decades.
The letter begins, “I am troubled by recent reports of an alleged
decades-long effort by Johnson & Johnson to potentially mislead regulators
and consumers about the safety of one of its products, which may have
resulted in long-term harm for men, women, and children who used Johnson
& Johnson baby powder.”
Senator Murray’s requests include: documents and data confirming
that current talc products do not contain any level of asbestos, all communications
with the FDA regarding J&J’s baby powder from 1966 to present,
and all promotional materials intended for the public related to J&J’s
baby powder from 1966 to present.
In an emailed
statement, J&J spokesman responded that the company looks forward to responding
to the letter and continues to stand by the “safety and purity”
of their talc.
Senator Murray’s demand comes as J&J continues to fend off numerous
lawsuits, tumbling stock, and damaging headlines. Senator Murray demands
a response by February 11. We will stay tuned!