Senator Murray "Troubled" by Reports J&J Hid Risks of Baby Powder-Demands CEO to Produce Asbestos Info
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!
