NEW YORK — Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson announced on Tuesday it would stop selling talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada, where sales had already been hit by changing consumer habits and fears the product causes cancer.
In this file photo taken on October 18, 2019 containers of Johnson’s baby powder made by Johnson and Johnson sit on a shelf at Jack’s Drug Store in San Anselmo, California. Photo by JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
The company has long denied claims that the talc powder it uses contains cancer-causing asbestos, but has nonetheless been taken to court several thousands of times over the allegations.
In a statement, Johnson & Johnson said it remained “steadfastly confident” in the product’s safety and would “vigorously” defend against the lawsuits, noting that all guilty verdicts passed against the company have been overturned.
“As part of a portfolio assessment related to COVID-19, in March, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health stopped shipping hundreds of items in the US and Canada to prioritize high-demand products and to allow for appropriate social distancing in manufacturing and distribution facilities,” the statement said.
It then decided to discontinue around 100 products in the two countries, including the talc-based powder.
“Demand for talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder in North America has been declining due in large part to changes in consumer habits and fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising,” the company said.
Existing stocks of the powder will be sold in the US and Canada until they run out, the company said, and the product will remain for sale in countries where there is “significantly higher consumer demand.”