Following a report early this month saying that many of the baby products on the market contain carcinogens such as formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration conducted an investigation over Johnson & Johnson baby products made in China.

 

Fortunately, the investigation showed no evidence that the products contain potential carcinogens as alleged by the report made by Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine tested 31 batches of bath products made by Johnson & Johnson's China operations. One single batch contained a small amount of 1,4-dioxane.

 

The authors of the report criticized J&J and other cosmetic companies for their manufacturing process as well as the practice of including the chemicals in the products without full disclose of labels.

 

However, J&J said the allegations of health risks are untrue, as trace levels of formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane “can result from processes that make our products gentle for babes and safe from bacteria growth.” Moreover, the company added that the Food and Drug Administration and other government agencies worldwide consider these trace levels safe, and “all our products meet or exceed the regulatory requirements in every country where they are sold.”

 

According to local media reports, a Shanghai-based regional supermarket chain, Nonggongshang Supermarket Group, has ordered its 3,500 chain outlets to remove baby bath products made by J&J from their shelves in reaction to the report.

 

Other major outlets in China, including the US supermarket Wal-Mart Stores and Carrefour, still carry the products.