The country's health
watchdog says it is following closely concerns over "Johnson & Johnson baby
oil" after health scares in India.
It is reported a food and drug administration in a western Indian state
ordered the New Jersey-based personal hygiene company to drop the "baby" tag
from several of its products last week, claiming they contain harmful
ingredients such as paraffin oil.
Johnson & Johnson's products in a
supermarket in Shanghai [newsphoto] |
Ministry of Health spokesman Mao Qun'an said the government had received a
statement from the company's operation in China after requesting information
about its products, including details of raw materials used and the process of
quality control.
"We will study the papers first and then decide what to do next. If
necessary, the ministry will organize related experts to do some further
research and investigation," said Mao.
Zhang Jianmin, director of Johnson & Johnson's (China) public affairs
department, said its products used only those oils stipulated by its
headquarters in the US.
"We are using a pure grade of mineral oil, which meets Johnson &
Johnson's worldwide specifications and has been clinically proven to be mild,
gentle and safe for babies," said Zhang.
"Though the mineral oil is extracted from paraffin oil, it conforms to the
hygiene regulation of the cosmetics issued by the Ministry of Health," added
Zhang, who issued a statement from Johnson & Johnson, stating it "always
manufactures its products according to the local standards, like baby powder and
baby soap." However, said the statement, for those products that have no local
standards, including baby oil and baby cream, all "meets Johnson & Johnson's
own stringent global standards."
He said the company's operations in India are studying the notice from local
health authorities and will respond within the stipulated period.
Johnson & Johnson says it is the world's most comprehensive and broadly
based manufacturer of healthcare products, as well as a provider of related
services, for the consumer, pharmaceutical and medical devices and diagnostics
markets.
The more than 200 Johnson & Johnson operating companies employ
approximately 109,900 men and women in 57 countries and sell products throughout
the world.
