Johnson and Johnson removes harmful chemicals from baby shampoo

Johnson and Johnson announced it was suspending the production of a baby shampoo containing carcinogenic materials and replacing them with reformulated products after years of complaints from consumers, the New York Times reported.

A new line of the same product, in which the cancer causing materials were removed, is to be introduced under the designation “improved formula.” The potentially harmful chemicals were found in small amounts but the company faced scrutiny over the health risks they could pose after accumulating in the body. 

“Will a kid get cancer because there’s formaldehyde in their shampoo?” Heather White, executive director of the Environmental Working Group, a member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. “We don’t know the answer to that. But why is there a carcinogen in their shampoo? When in doubt, take it out.”

Johnson and Johnson said the mentioned chemicals will also be removed from 100 other products, including their popular brands Neutrogena and Clean & Clear.

By Yoon Ha-youn, Intern reporter (yhayoun@heraldcorp.com)