The Zimbabwean government has banned the importation of Johnson & Johnson baby powder, citing concerns over the talc used in the product. According to Health Secretary Jasper Chimedza, the talc contained in the baby powder is highly toxic. He said that environmental health officers have been instructed to remove all J&J baby powders containing talc from the market.
The American Academy of Pediatrics research suggesting that the talc used in the production of baby powder could be highly toxic was also cited by Chimedza. This move by the Zimbabwean government comes after thousands of lawsuits linked J&J's baby powder with illnesses in children. J&J has repeatedly denied that their baby powder contains asbestos, a toxic industrial substance, or that it causes cancer.
J&J has, in fact, offered $8.9 billion to resolve current and future claims against them. However, as Zimbabwe primarily imports its healthcare products from South Africa, Chimedza warns that contaminated baby powders may still enter the market. While J&J may face challenges with its baby powder, it remains a leading pharmaceutical company with products all over the world. The company's latest move towards creating a COVID-19 vaccine has been widely reported and is generating a great deal of interest.