Company J&J to Stop Selling Talcum Powder in US, Canada
2020-05-23
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1American company Johnson & Johnson is ending sales of its popular talcum powder in the U.S. and Canada.
2The product is called Johnson's Baby Powder.
3Its demand has decreased in recent years as a result of thousands of lawsuits claiming it has caused cancer.
4The company, also known as J&J, is the world's biggest maker of health care products.
5It said the product will still be sold outside the U.S. and Canada.
6J&J said decreasing demand was mainly caused by changes in consumer buying behavior "fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product."
7It also blamed major advertising campaigns launched by law firms.
8The company faces about 19,400 lawsuits claiming its talcum powder caused users to develop some forms of cancer.
9Of the cases that went to trial, J&J has had 12 wins, 15 losses and seven mistrials.
10All of the losses have either been overturned on appeal or are still under appeal.
11The company claims the talcum powder is safe and doesn't cause cancer.
12"Whether or not the powder actually causes cancer, people became hesitant to use the product," Erik Gordon said in an email to The Associated Press.
13He is a professor at the University of Michigan's business school.
14J&J representative Kimberly Montagnino said the company does not plan to settle any of the lawsuits and will continue to strongly defend the product.
15The New Brunswick, New Jersey, company said the baby powder decision came as it moves to discontinue about 100 consumer health products.
16It said its aim is to push products that are in high demand during the coronavirus crisis and permit effective social distancing in its factories.
17J&J will still sell its less-popular cornstarch-based baby powder in North America.
18I'm Alice Bryant.
1American company Johnson & Johnson is ending sales of its popular talcum powder in the U.S. and Canada. The product is called Johnson's Baby Powder. Its demand has decreased in recent years as a result of thousands of lawsuits claiming it has caused cancer. 2The company, also known as J&J, is the world's biggest maker of health care products. It said the product will still be sold outside the U.S. and Canada. 3J&J said decreasing demand was mainly caused by changes in consumer buying behavior "fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product." It also blamed major advertising campaigns launched by law firms. 4The company faces about 19,400 lawsuits claiming its talcum powder caused users to develop some forms of cancer. 5Of the cases that went to trial, J&J has had 12 wins, 15 losses and seven mistrials. All of the losses have either been overturned on appeal or are still under appeal. 6The company claims the talcum powder is safe and doesn't cause cancer. 7"Whether or not the powder actually causes cancer, people became hesitant to use the product," Erik Gordon said in an email to The Associated Press. He is a professor at the University of Michigan's business school. 8J&J representative Kimberly Montagnino said the company does not plan to settle any of the lawsuits and will continue to strongly defend the product. 9The New Brunswick, New Jersey, company said the baby powder decision came as it moves to discontinue about 100 consumer health products. It said its aim is to push products that are in high demand during the coronavirus crisis and permit effective social distancing in its factories. 10J&J will still sell its less-popular cornstarch-based baby powder in North America. 11I'm Alice Bryant. 12The Associated Press reported this story. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. 13________________________________________________________________ 14Words in This Story 15talcum powder - n. a soft, white powder that is used to make your skin feel dry and smooth 16lawsuit - n. a process by which a court of law makes a decision to end a disagreement between people or organizations 17consumer. n. a person who buys goods and services 18hesitant - adj. slow to act or speak especially because you are nervous or unsure about what to do 19cornstarch - n. a fine powder made from corn