
Despite previously
discontinuing sales of talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020 after growing
public pressure, Johnson & Johnson still managed to eke out an excuse to
continue selling tainted baby powder in global markets.
Now, J&J has finally announced that they will start using cornstarch
instead worldwide in all their baby powder in 2023. A shift undoubtedly
spurred not only by declining demand but by the numerous
lawsuits alleging asbestos-contaminated talc caused cancer. J&J cites that
their transition away from talc is in order to meet “evolving global
trends” and incredulously still remain “firmly behind”
the safety of their talc products.
Although this is a long-awaited development, it was always seen as an easy
solution. J&J introduced the cornstarch alternative, which is cheap,
plentiful and truly non-toxic, in 1980. Perhaps if they had started admitting
fault with their iconic product back then, it would have compelled them
to take responsibility and face true accountability sooner. Unfortunately,
the extent of retribution exacted by asbestos plaintiffs by the end of
J&J’s convoluted
bankruptcy reorganization process, remains to be seen. Sadly, for the countless victims
already poisoned by J&J products, this decision comes too little, too late.
To read more, please visit:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/11/business/johnson-and-johnson-talc-corn-starch.html