Beverly Bizeki
Government has through the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) banned the distribution and importation of the talc based Johnson and Johnson baby powder over allegations that it was causing cancer.
MoHCC Permanent Secretary Air Commodore Dr Jasper Chimedza has alerted all provincial medical directors in a statement released on May 24, 2023 banning the importation and distribution and sale of the product.
“MoHCC is banning the importation and distribution and sale of Johnson and Johnson’s baby powder containing the talc ingredient with immediate effect.
“Environmental Health Officers and Technicians are advised to remove all Johnson and Johnson’s baby powder containing the talc ingredient from the market. Inspectors are advised to document their findings and the products must be destroyed or recalled to the manufacturers,” reads part of the statement.
The ban follows a recent report aired on Consumer News and Business channel (CNBC) that Johnson and Johnson’s was going to pay hefty penalties following assumption of liability.
“On 18 April 2023, an American television channel, CNBC reported that Johnson and Johnson an American multinational corporation had assumed the liability to pay eight point nine billion United States Dollars (US $8,9 billion) to the medical industry in compensation over allegations that the company’s baby powder was causing cancer.
“Research by the American Academy of Pediatrics unearthed that the talc used in the production of the baby powder was highly toxic due to contamination with carcinogen asbestos,” reads the statement.
Chimedza also highlighted that there is a high risk of the product getting into the Zimbabwean market owing to the high importation of health products by the country from South Africa.
“The product is still popular in south Africa amid indications that most consumers are unaware of its potential risks.
“Given the significant importation of the health products by Zimbabwe from South Africa, there is a high risk that the product could still be finding its way into the Zimbabwean market,” reads the statement.
The Tanzania Bureau of Standards has also banned the importation and distribution and sale of the Johnson and Johnson’s baby powder containing the talc ingredient
