Testing methods for baby talcum powder, shampoo have no uniformity: NCPCR

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sought an explanation from the drug regulator for the variation in methods used for testing the safety of Johnson & Johnson’s shampoo and talcum powder for babies.

The commission has asked the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to appear in person on March 12, failing which the commission has said it will take further action.

Earlier, the NCPCR had sought information on a validated method used by various government laboratories for analysing the presence of formaldehyde in the baby shampoo and asbestos in talcum powder manufactured and marketed by multinational company J&J.


According to NCPCR, the response from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) showed “lack of diligence” on its part to perform its functions properly.

“It’s clear from the response of the CDSCO that there is no uniformity in testing methods for the purpose of testing the presence of formaldehyde in baby shampoo and asbestos in talcum powder, and the same is clearly a mandate of CDSCO to regulate as per the functions of CDSCO,” it said. ET has seen a copy of the letter.

The NCPCR has asked VG Somani, the DCGI, to appear with records and documents to explain why the regulatory authority did not regulate the standards and uniformity in the testing methods by accredited laboratories in India.

“Why no proper information, as demanded by the commission, has been provided within stipulated time period despite various communications made by the commission in this regard,” the commission’s letter said.

The regulator did not respond to ET’s phone calls and text messages.

The commission had sought suo moto cognisance on J&J’s talcum powder and shampoo and had sought sample lab test reports from the drug regulatory authority.

The authority had asked if the testing method has been accredited by Indian pharmacopoeia or any other authority.

Last year in April, the NCPCR had sought sample test reports of J&J's baby shampoo and talcum powder from authorities of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Assam.