Featured image of a spilled bottle of baby powder on a black background
June 14, 2023

Kenyan rights group sues Johnson & Johnson over toxic Baby Powder.

A rights group in Kenya is suing Johnson & Johnson over the sale of its talc-based baby powder. According to the African Centre for Corrective & Preventive Action (ACCPA), Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder has already been banned by India and some countries in the European Union, but it is still available for sale in Kenya.

CLAIM FOR CANCER

The ACCPA proposed a petition in June 2023 concerning the protection of consumer rights, stating that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder contains both benzene and the mineral talc— substances that, according to the group’s claims, can cause cancer in humans. The petition was filed at the High Court in Milimani, Nairobi with the goal of obtaining allowance to pursue a class action lawsuit, which would allow other affected victims to sue against J&J.

A representative for the ACCPA stated that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder has been “banned in the European Union, India and several African countries including Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

“There is scientific proof that benzene should not be used in the manufacture of drug substances, excipients, and drug products because of its unacceptable toxicity and deleterious environmental effect.”
— REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE African Centre for Corrective & Preventive Action

The group also hopes to push through a temporary order that would block the pharmaceutical giant from continuing to produce, sell, import, or distribute its talcum powder products in the Kenyan market.

THE EVIDENCE

“There is sufficient evidence that Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.  and Johnson & Johnson (K), Ltd.  are aware of severe and fatal results of their products,” the ACCPA’s lawsuit claimed. “But they have ignored the fact and continue manufacturing and selling these products to the masses, including Kenyan citizens, despite having compensated claimants in the United States by the Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.”

To further support their case, the rights group attached a copy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s test results of the Johnson & Johnson baby powder products.

AWAITING A RESPONSE

ACCPA Executive Director James Mwangi Macharia claimed that, on April 5, he had written a letter to the Health Cabinet secretary seeking a ban on the sale and distribution of J&J’s talcum powder. He has yet to receive a response.

“Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.  and Johnson & Johnson (K), Ltd.  have marketed the Johnson & Johnson baby powder par product description as ‘made with purified talc and trusted by millions of parents,’ ” said Macharia in a written statement. It is “proof of widespread use of the baby powder by millions on Kenyans.”

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