Johnson & Johnson's licence for cosmetics cancelled

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cancelled Johnson & Johnson India’s license to produce cosmetic products at their Mulund plant. FDA’s order will come into effect from June 24.

According to FDA officials, the order was issued in a case dating back to 2007 when they found that 15 batches of Johnson & Johnson baby powder were sterilized by ethylene oxide, a known carcinogenic and irritant.

 “While Ethylene Oxide can be used for sterilisation, the company did not bother to carry out a test after the process to check the amount of residue in the product,” said FDA joint commissioner KB Shende, adding that the company can appeal to the state government before the order comes into effect.

  “The products are used for new born babies. IT IS MUST for the company to follow all measures,” said Shende adding that the traces of ethylene oxide, if any, should have been measured. The 15 batches in question consisted of 160,000 containers.