- The Ministry of Commerce of Republic of Congo has decided to suspend the imports and marketing of Johnson & Johnson baby powder.
- Action for the Environment and Development (AED), had campaigned against the product alleging toxicity due to the presence of asbestos in the baby talc
The Ministry of Commerce of Republic of Congo has decided to suspend the imports and marketing of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The sale and promotion of the product are suspended pending the results of commissioned laboratory analysis. A circular from the ministry said that the said product will be seized from all distribution establishments, in depots and stores.
Action for the Environment and Development (AED), had campaigned against the product alleging toxicity due to the presence of asbestos in the baby talc.The decision of the public authorities is a first victory AED, a member of the International Network for the Elimination of Pollutants (IPEN).IPEN fights for the elimination of pollutants such as lead in paints, mercury in the environment, endocrine disruptors etc. Subsequent to the ban on the same powder in the USA and Canada, IPEN adviced the AED to fight for the withdrawal of the cosmetic product in Congo.
AED has urged the government to destroy existing stock in order to protect consumers from serious health risks. The association proposes to organize awareness-raising and advocacy to further challenge the Congolese authorities, traders and consumer associations. Since March 2020, the Johnson & Johnson baby powder has been the subject of more than 20,000 lawsuits.
