More than 40,000 bottles of baby powder sold on Amazon have been recalled over fears they may contain cancer-causing asbestos.
The product was first recalled in September after the FDA said it may be contaminated with asbestos. which can lead to cancer if inhaled repeatedly.
But Canada-based Dynacare expanded the recall to more lots of its 14-ounce and 4-ounce bottles, which it suspects may also be affected.
No illnesses or adverse events have been reported to date, but parents have been advised to stop using the product and return it to the sellers for a full refund.
It comes amid several lawsuits against Johnson and Johnson over its asbestos-containing talcum powder.
Dynacare baby powder, sold on Amazon, is being recalled over fears it may be contaminated with asbestos.
A total of 35 states are now included in the Dynacare recall, compared to 13 included in the initial alert, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.
The recalled bottles have been sold in the US since January of this year and have a unique lot number printed on the bottom. – which can be seen here.
A total of 31,056 4-ounce bottles of the powder have been recalled, along with another 8,952 14-ounce bottles.
In the initial recall revealed late last month, 1,500 14-ounce bottles were recalled.
Dynacare baby powder contains talc that is mined and ground into a water-absorbent powder.
However, talc deposits are often found near deposits of asbestos, which is a naturally occurring mineral.
The FDA said in its recall notice that if talc extraction sites are not carefully selected or if efforts are not made to purify the talc once extracted, then the talc may be contaminated with asbestos.
After using the powder at home, small asbestos particles can become suspended in the air and then be inhaled by the adult using the powder or by the baby.
These can then become trapped in lung tissue, where they trigger inflammation and irritation of the tissue, causing harmful mutations in nearby cells.
Another 40,000 bottles have been added to the recall, which have been sold in the US since January of this year.
The recalled bottles have their lot and lot number printed on the bottom, as shown above.
Over time, this can trigger cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and is linked to asbestos exposure.
The recall is eerily reminiscent of Johnson and Johnson’s own legal troubles amid accusations that its baby powder contained asbestos and had caused cancer.
The company is offering an $8 billion settlement to more than 50,000 people who sued over reported pollution.
It has already lost several court cases, including $4.5 million to the family of Teresa Garcia, a mother of six, who died at the age of 53 from asbestos-related cancer after using the powder for decades.
Johnson and Johnson has now discontinued its talc-based baby powder and replaced it with a powder that uses cornstarch.
In its notice, the FDA said: ‘The recall was the result of a routine sampling program conducted by the FDA, which revealed that the finished products contained asbestos.
‘Upon further investigation, we have identified additional batches of products that may contain asbestos due to the use of the same bulk talc material.
“The company has ceased distribution of the product as an investigation is underway to determine what caused the talc contamination.”
Recall states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina . Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.