Contaminated Baby Products!

I just learned that more than 40 organizations, representing 1.7 million parents, health care providers and environmental health advocates have recently contacted Johnson & Johnson, famous makers of a myriad of "gentle" babycare products that moms have been depending on for generations. These individuals and groups, including the American Nurses Association, Physicians for Social Responsibiliy and others are concerned about cancer-causing chemicals, and they are urging J&J to remove toxic ingredients from its baby products.

I was shocked to learn that the list of toxins include formaldehyde, 1.4-dioxane and other hazardous chemicals. This from the makers of "No More Tears" shampoo? The advocates for safer baby products urge Johnson & Johnson to remove these and other hazardous chemicals from personal care products by the end of 2009. 

This came to light in a March, 2009 report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics which actually found formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in Johnson's Baby Shampoo and other top-selling children's bath products. Both chemicals are known to cause cancer in animals and are listed as probable human carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency. A recent National Cancer Institute study reinforced the link between formaldehyde exposure and cancer. Formaldehyde is also an allergen that can cause rashes in sensitized people. The chemicals were not disclosed on product labels because contaminants are exempt from labeling laws!  I would say that the US needs stricter standards, like those of Japan and Sweden who have banned formaldehyde from personal care products.

Ironically, Johnson & Johnson was recently listed as America's most reputable company, according to a survey by the Reputation Institute. The survey was conducted prior to the release of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report.  In response to the report, major retailers in China, Vietnam and Singapore pulled Johnson & Johnson products off shelves. At least three class-action lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and other companies named in the report.

Lisa Archer of the Breast Cancer Fund and National Coordinator of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics states "There is no excuse for a baby shampoo marketed as ‘the number one choice of hospitals' to contain chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer. As a manufacturer of trusted brands, Johnson & Johnson has a responsibility to remove carcinogens and other hazardous chemicals from its products." 

Johnson & Johnson is not the only culprit.  Laboratory testing uncovered harmful chemicals in Sesame Street Bubble Bath, Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash, Huggies Naturally Refereshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash, Baby Magic Baby Lotion and American Girl shower products.

In April, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the Safe Baby Products Act, directing the FDA to regulate hazardous contaminants in children's personal care products.  Good luck to her - we certainly need Congress to reform weak regulatory standars to protect our children.

Apparently, other companies are making similar products without carcinogens, and Johnson & Johnson is already making formaldehyde-free products in Japan, where the chemical is banned from cosmetics.

For more information: www.SafeCosmetics.org