Bowing to public pressure to provide safer formulations of everyday products (and a boycott brought on by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics) Johnson & Johnson has pledged to remove potentially harmful and carcinogenic chemicals from its lotions and adult toiletries by 2015. And in even better news, baby products will be reformulated with safer ingredients by the end of 2013.
Brands like Aveena, Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, and Lubriderm (who are owned by Johnson & Johnson) would also be part of J&J’s efforts to remove toxic chemicals.
“We applaud Johnson & Johnson for its leadership in committing to remove cancer-causing chemicals from its products. We will be vigilant in making sure [J&J] meets its commitments and will continue to encourage it to remove other ingredients of concern,” says Lisa Archer, director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at the Breast Cancer Fund, a co-founder of the campaign.
Specifically, J&J will remove 1, 4-dioxane and quaternium-15 from nearly all of their toiletry and cosmetic products. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, 1,4-dioxane is a likely carcinogen while quarternium-15 releases formaldehyde which is a known carcinogen. The company will also phase out other toxins like triclosan, phthalates and parabens, and certain fragrance ingredients.
J&J’s pledge is being positioned as the most aggressive stance yet by a healthcare or beauty products company, and the company has launched a website where it will disclose its progress.
“We want people to have complete peace of mind when they use our products,” Susan Nettesheim, vice president of product stewardship and toxicology for J&J’s consumer health brands, told Associated Press.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is calling on other cosmetics giants including Avon, Estee Lauder, L’Oreal, Procter & Gamble and Unilever to meet or beat J&J’s commitments.
Click here to learn more about the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Source: Sustainable Business