Johnson & Johnson To Revamp Products

Johnson & Johnson will be removing carcinogens and other toxic chemicals from its baby and adult products globally. The makers of Aveeno, Neutrogena and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo told the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a national coalition of more than 175 nonprofit organizations, that it will reformulate its hundreds of cosmetics and personal care products in all the markets it serves in 57 countries around the world.

J&J has confirmed to the Campaign that it has set an internal target date of reformulating adult products by the end of 2015, and it will use “safe alternatives” when reformulating. Goals include:

Johnson & Johnson’s announcement follows the company’s November 2011 commitment to globally reformulate its baby products to remove carcinogens 1,4 dioxane and formaldehyde by the end of 2013, which was triggered by years of campaigning and dialogue by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and allies including the American Nurses Association, including the release of two reports, which showed Johnson & Johnson baby products contain these carcinogens.

The company told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview that it remains on track to have baby products, including its Johnson’s No More Tears baby shampoo, reformulated with safer ingredients by the end of 2013. Adult products will be reformulated by the end of 2015.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, will launch a national campaign this week challenging L’Oreal (Maybelline, Garnier, Kiehl’s, The Body Shop, Softsheen-Carson), Procter & Gamble (CoverGirl, Pantene, Secret, Old Spice), Estee Lauder (Clinique, MAC, Prescriptives), Avon, and Unilever (Dove, Ponds, St. Ives, Axe) to follow J&J’s lead and commit to removing carcinogens and other harmful chemicals from cosmetics and specify a timeline for removal.