The recall came after months of denial from the company about the presence of the cancer-causing substance in its talc-based products, The New York Times reported Friday.
But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration discovered trace levels of chrysotile asbestos in samples from a bottle of baby powder bought from an online retailer, according to Johnson & Johnson.
The recalled lot of baby powder is #22318RB and includes 33,000 bottles sold by an unidentified retailer, said company spokesman Ernie Knewitz. He added that this is the first time Johnson & Johnson has pulled its baby powder from the market, The Times reported.
YOU MIGHT LIKE
Cancer and Heartburn Drugs: What Are the Risks?
Already, a major manufacturer has recalled its version of the drug, and another has stopped distribution.
Novartis Stops Distribution of Zantac Due to Cancer-Causing Impurities Concerns
Sandoz, an arm of Novartis AG, announced on September 18 that it would halt worldwide distribution
Johnson & Johnson is facing thousands of lawsuits from people who allege that baby powder and other talc-based products triggered cancer in them.
Some of the plaintiffs have mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer associated with asbestos exposure, and others have ovarian cancer, which has also been linked to asbestos, The Times reported.
