Cancer-causing asbestos found in Johnson & Johnson baby powder, samples seized

New Delhi : In the breaking news, India's central drug regulator CDSCO has seized samples of Johnson & Johnson baby powder prepared at the plant in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, Reuters reported today.

Reuters, a London-based newswire has revealed that Johnson & Johnson's raw talc and finished powders sometimes tested positive for small amounts of (cancer-causing) asbestos for decades.

As a result, Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) market value has decreased and firm has described it as "one-sided, false and inflammatory".

"Johnson & Johnson's baby powder is safe and asbestos free...Studies of more than 100,000 men and women show that talc does not cause cancer or asbestos-related disease. Thousands of independent tests by regulators and the world’s leading labs prove our baby powder has never contained asbestos". said Johnson & Johnson company in a statement.

J&J India didn't have any immediate comment on Tuesday's seizure of samples in Himachal Pradesh, and a CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) spokeswoman didn't respond to a request for comment, Reuters said.

The ban is not limited to Himachal Pradesh, Surendranath Sai, a drug officer in Telangana, has said he's instructed inspectors to seize samples there.

"On the basis of the news report, we are alerting staff to pick up samples. We will test them in a drug control lab here...We will take action accordingly. Certainly we are worried because millions of babies may be affected, "mentions Surendranath Sai, drug officer in Telangana

As of now, close to 100 drug inspectors have been assigned to examine different manufacturing facilities, wholesalers and distributors linked to J&J India.

A "senior official" at the health ministry, who refused to be identified, has told Reuters it will take action.