Following a report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics showing that most baby products contain trace levels of carcinogens such as 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde, a Chinese supermarket chain pulled Johnson & Johnson baby products from sale, the government’s Xinhua News Agency said, citing a manager for the retailer.

 

Nonggongshang Supermarkets Corp., which runs 3,500 stores in eastern China, pulled Johnson & Johnson baby products from sale after a US nonprofit group, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, said it found trace of formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in “dozens” of children’s bath products, including Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo.

 

Trying to defend its products, the company said in a statement that “the trace levels of certain compounds found by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics can result from processes that make our products gentle for babies and safe from bacteria growth.” Moreover, “all our products meet or exceed the regulatory requirements in every country where they are sold,” the statement further said.

 

In addition to this statement, the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration ran an investigation on the products showing no contamination by formaldehyde, or 1,4-dioxane, in 33 products — including 14 bath or sanitary-related items — sold by Johnson & Johnson.

 

"The State Food and Drug Administration will continue to closely monitor the situation and do testing in a timely manner," the watchdog said on its Web site.