The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is alerting the public to the ongoing legal actions in the United Kingdom involving over 3,000 claimants who allege that Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder contained asbestos, a known carcinogen.
These allegations linked serious health conditions and multiple cancer cases, such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, to long-term use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products.
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in proximity to asbestos in the earth; for that reason, strict quality control and testing are required to ensure talc-based cosmetic products do not contain asbestos. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified asbestos as a group 1 human carcinogen, banned or strictly regulated in most countries.
Johnson and Johnson baby powder is substantially used worldwide, including in Nigeria, by women and infants for hygiene and cosmetic purposes.
Potential Risks
Use of asbestos-contaminated talcum powder can cause cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovaries, and mesothelioma.
Product Details
The details of the product are as follows.
Product Name | Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder |
Product Manufacturer | Johnson and Johnson (A United States multinational corporation) |
Declared Ingredient | Talcum powder |
NAFDAC emphasizes the following:
- There is currently no conclusive regulatory determination linking asbestos contamination in talc-based cosmetic products to cancer in consumers. The UK lawsuit represents allegations and is subject to a judicial outcome.
- Talc may be used in cosmetic products when it meets safety and purity standards as required by regulatory authorities. NAFDAC continues to monitor scientific evidence and global developments regarding talc safety.
- Consumers are encouraged to use cosmetic products in accordance with instructions on the label and to seek medical advice if they experience health concerns potentially related to product use.
NAFDAC remains committed to safeguarding public health and will continue surveillance activities to ensure the quality and safety of regulated products marketed within Nigeria.
Consumers are also encouraged to report adverse events or product safety concerns related to talc-based products to NAFDAC, the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng, or via the Med-safety application available for download on Android and IOS stores, or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng
NAFDAC………. Customer-focused, Agency-minded!!!
