The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for a brand of baby powder sold in 35 states due to the possibility of asbestos contamination.
On Oct. 28, the FDA announced that Dynacare, a baby powder sold by the Dynarex Corporation, was recalled because of a “Potential Metal or Chemical Contaminant.”
“Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is often found near talc, an ingredient in many cosmetic products. Asbestos, however, is a known carcinogen and its health risks are well-documented. If talc mining sites are not carefully chosen or if proper steps are not taken to adequately purify the talc ore, it may contain asbestos,” the recall said.
baby powder — stock image.
getty
The Dynacare in question was for both 14 oz. and 4 oz. sizes, sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, New England, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
Dynacare is also sold online via Amazon.
According to the FDA, “There have been no illnesses or adverse events reported to date.”
The Food and Drug Administration adds that the possibility of asbestos contamination in the baby powder was discovered during a “routine sampling program,” which showed that “the finished products contained asbestos.”
“Upon further investigation, we have identified additional lots of products that may contain asbestos due to using the same bulk talc material. The company has ceased the distribution of the product as an investigation is proceeding to determine what caused the contamination of the talc,” the recall added.
baby powder — stock image.
getty
Consumers who purchased any of the Dynacare products in question “should discontinue use immediately and return it for a full refund.” A full listing with additional details can be found on the FDA’s website.
In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced it would discontinue its talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada after receiving multiple consumer lawsuits claiming the product contained asbestos.
At the time, the company denied the allegations but continued selling its existing stock of talc-based baby powder outside of North America.
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Johnson & Johnson had also done a voluntary recall in 2018 after sub-trace levels of asbestos were found in their products.
“Johnson & Johnson remains steadfastly confident in the safety of talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder,” the company said in 2020. “Decades of scientific studies by medical experts around the world support the safety of our product. We will continue to vigorously defend the product, its safety, and the unfounded allegations against it and the company in the courtroom.”
Its cornstarch-based baby powder would still be distributed worldwide, the company said.
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