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Johnson & Johnson 'knew about asbestos in baby powder for decades'


Johnson & Johnson is forcefully denying a media report that it knew for decades about the existence of trace amounts of asbestos in its baby powder.

The report by news agency Reuters sent company shares into a tailspin, suffering their worst sell-off in 16 years.

A lengthy investigation by Reuters, which reviewed thousands of company documents, showed the company marketed talc-based products that, at least between 1971 and the beginning in the 2000s, sometimes contained asbestos.

The New Jersey company has battled in court against such claims and on Friday called the Reuters report, “one-sided, false and inflammatory”.

Johnson & Johnson is denying claims from news agency Reuters it knew for decades about the existence of trace amounts of asbestos in its baby powder. Source: AAP (File pic)
Johnson & Johnson is denying claims from news agency Reuters it knew for decades about the existence of trace amounts of asbestos in its baby powder. Source: AAP (File pic)

The company’s executives, researchers, doctors and lawyers were aware but deliberately chose not to disclose this information and not to refer it to the authorities, according to the report.

“Simply put, the Reuters story is an absurd conspiracy theory,” the company said in a statement.

“Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder is safe and asbestos-free.”

The controversy has long dogged the company, which has been facing a wave of several thousand court cases claiming the baby powder is causing cancer.

In July, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay more than A$6.5 billion in damages to a group of 22 women. Source: AAP
In July, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay more than A$6.5 billion in damages to a group of 22 women. Source: AAP

In July, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay more than A$6.5 billion in damages to a group of 22 women claiming to have developed ovarian cancer following the use of the powder.

The company said Friday there were rigorous tests showing the talc did not contain the cancer-causing mineral.

In addition, “J&J has cooperated fully and openly with the US FDA and other global regulators, providing them with all the information they requested over decades.”

According to Reuters, the company also tried, unsuccessfully, to block regulations that lower the maximum level of asbestos allowed in talc-based cosmetics.

With AFP and Associated Press