J&J baby shampoo: samples from Rajasthan found to contain harmful chemicals

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Apr 1, 2019

Central Indian authorities have launched a new investigation into Johnson & Johnson after samples of its Baby Shampoo were found to contain harmful chemicals in a Rajasthan state drug controller's report. J&J denies these claims.

Official sources stated that a Rajasthan drug controller’s report found traces of the carcinogenic and toxic chemical formaldehyde in two batches of J&J’s “No More Tears” baby shampoo, TNN reported. The Rajasthan authorities have requested that the two batches of baby shampoo be taken off shelves which amounts to approximately 1 lakh shampoo bottles. 

Following these claims, the Centre has launched an investigation into the case. However, J&J denies that there are any harmful chemicals in its products and maintains that they are safe. The two batches of baby shampoo were manufactured in J&J’s Baddi factory.

"Please ensure the quality of other batches and drugs of said manufacturers available in the market from time to time," the Drugs Controller of Rajasthan said in a letter to the Drugs Controller General of India. The letter was reviewed by the Times of India which reported that it asked drugs regulators across the country to take the allegedly contaminated batches of shampoo off shelves. 

"We do not accept the interim results given to us which mentioned samples to contain harmful ingredients,” said J&J in a statement. The controversy follows a recent investigation into the business that was testing for traces of asbestos in its baby powder.