Johnson & Johnson Issues Statement on Shampoo in India

Johnson & Johnson Issues Statement on Shampoo in India

We unequivocally maintain that our products are safe and our assurance process is amongst the most rigorous in the world, meeting or exceeding the safety standards in every country where our products are sold. Johnson & Johnson is in full compliance with current Indian regulatory requirements and standards for manufacturing and testing of all our products.

Earlier this year, representatives of the Drug Controller in Jaipur, Rajasthan drew samples of Johnson’s Baby Shampoo for testing and we fully co-operated during the process. We do not accept the interim results given to us which mentioned samples to ‘contain harmful ingredients- identification positive for formaldehyde.’ The government did not disclose the test methods, details or any quantitative findings. This is concerning especially when there is no prescribed test method or requirement for testing Formaldehyde in shampoo under the applicable standards. We have confirmed to the Indian authorities that we do not add Formaldehyde as an ingredient in our shampoo nor does Johnson’s baby shampoo contain any ingredient that can release formaldehyde over time. Our products are safe to use and conform to all applicable standard under the D&C Act and D&C rules.

We have contested the interim test results of the Government Analysis that were based on unknown and unspecified methods. Following due process under law, the application before the relevant authority is pending for re-testing of samples at Central Drugs Laboratory.