I just heard that johnson and johnson baby shampoo contains cancer causing chemicals. Does anyone know if this is actually true?
What doesn't cause cancer? I used J&J shampoo when I was a kid so did many other people I know. Forty years later, and no cancer.
Before you believe the hype (even on this thread), remember that people have been using these products for YEARS and have lived healthy lives. Including me, and I'm in my 50's...
Well damn, and I let my kids drink a couple of bottles of it a day, too! They're screwed!
:(
I believe they are talking about "parabens" these are ingredients that end in paraben (methylparaben, etc.) I have heard that many lotions, shampoos, etc contain these and many are baby products. I always check the labels...there are many popular brands that don't contain them.
These chemicals mimic estrogen and that's why they can cause some hormone dependent cancers.
So my sister called the other day and told me to stop drinking bottled water. Umm, no. I keep it in the car so when the kids or I need a drink we just grab a bottle. I don't keep it in there during the summer because no one likes hot water, but during the fall-spring, sure. We keep tons of it in the garage and rotate it in the refrigerator when the cold ones run low. But apparently, when the bottles get warm, they can cause cancer.
I typed that to show how EVERYTHING can be linked to something bad. J&J is a great company, has been around for decades, and I haven't heard of this. Really, if we were to shy away from everything for fear of the downfall, then we would never eat, drink, be clean, leave the house, stay in the house, drive a car, ride the bus, fill up our gas tanks, etc...
scare tactics, in my opinion...
I heard about that too.
I don't use it but it's because it smells so gross and left my kids' hair so greasy and yucky looking. I've used my regular shampoo on them since they were little instead. I use a more natural shampoo from Trader Joes because of my allergies.
I used it for both my kids (hated the smell of Baby Magic but it has it too); however, I have since learned about the harsh chemicals in most personal care products (including baby shampoos). Yes, it's true.
Supposedly, because it is not ingested and it is for personal use, they don't have to put a warning label on it (if it were for commercial use, a MSDS sheet would be required). Ingested or not, it is absorbed through the skin.
We use Koala Pals now.
Updated
I used it for both my kids (hated the smell of Baby Magic); however, I have since learned about the harsh chemicals in most personal care products (including baby shampoos). Yes, it's true.
Supposedly, because it is not ingested and it is for personal use, they don't have to put a warning label on it (if it were for commercial use, a MSDS sheet would be required).
We use Koala Pals now.
A few batches of baby powder produced at a plant in India were found to contain a known carcinogen. The product was recalled, and that particular plant lost its license. http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/johnson.asp
If you want the answer to your question, search it out here:
The question is WHY use something on your baby that you know has harmful chemicals in it?
We are all exposed to many cancer and disease causing chemicals everyday, many of which are banned in other countries because they have been proven to be dangerous. I just take matters into my own hands and buy food and hygiene products that do not contain that stuff. It's not hard. The link below has some info, you can research online, there are many reputable sources that say the same thing. This isn't a bunch of crazy hippies on a rant but science backed information we should all take to heart.
The FDA and the USDA have been bought by the same companies filling our products and food with dangerous chemicals. In this regard there is no one looking out for your family but you. Just buy products that don't contain that stuff. You'll still be exposed in some ways but to a much smaller degree.
Why would any mother not want to minimize her child's risk to chemicals we know are harmful?
It's true, and as of to date they have not done so. Many childrens hospital's no longer use J&J. They already have another formula that's been in place for years it's sold in Europe. Love how our government knew about it but said nothing.
Yes it's true. Same for baby magic lotion, and many, many, many, products you use on yourself.
Believe it's old news ... The link to the article below says J&J would remove the "toxic" ingredients in 2 years ... The Forbes article is from 2011.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2011/11/01/as-r...
From the article: Update: On November 16th, Johnson & Johnson announced that it would remove quaternium-15 and other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives from all of its baby products worldwide within two years, and reduce 1,4 dioxane in all of its baby products to less than 4 parts per million (ppm). Long term, the company indicated it will replace the chemical process, called ethoxylation, that results in 1,4 dioxane contamination. Johnson & Johnson also announced that it has removed phthalates from all of its baby products worldwide. The announcement does not cover the company’s non-baby products (e.g. products in the Neutrogena and Aveeno lines)."
ETA ... I truly don't think anyone is trying to hide this from the public ... From the J&J site ... http://www.safetyandcarecommitment.com/ingredient-info/other
I think most commercial and corporate branded liquid soaps have Formaldehyde in them now.
But I think the baby shampoo was passed over on this cancer causing additive.
We certainly bought it by the largest bottle available at the time, and we are all good.
Yes it's true. I have never used their products with either of my kids.
J&J has been around forever and has always been a trusted and respected company. My parents and in-laws used J&J products on me and my husband and I used them on my first two children and we are all fine. With that in mind, I had my 3rd child here in England where many US approved chemicals and additives are not allowed. I am constantly surprised by what the US allows in the products they sell that are banned in so many other countries. I have used a product on my son by Neal's Yard Remedies, which is made right in London. It is paraben free and there are no additional chemicals in it. I love it and have switched the entire family to the product line. I feel like now that I have the knowledge I can make more informed choices and that is only a good thing.
Not sure what's in that J&J stuff.
That infos been floating around for a long time though.
All I know is it wreaked havoc on MY hands when I used it on my son, so I found gentler stuff.
You can find the safety profile for almost any ingredient in any cosmetic or self-care product at http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ – a very good resource for consumer safety.
Some ingredients in many shampoos (and many other products) are somewhat toxic, and some of them are potentially cancer-causing. Or can cause birth defects, neurological problems, and have other negative health effects. Alternative products can be found at health food stores, but some of those can still have some questionable ingredients.
My daughter couldn't use J&J baby shampoo. The skin all over her head and ears would blister and weep. I didn't have any qualms about ingredients in those days, but she was at least very allergic.
California Baby or 7th Generation bodywash/shampoo is what we've used a long time. I never liked the smell of J&J.
What baby shampoo do u guys use instead?
It WAS true until they "voluntarily" decide to remove those chemicals after the word got out...
I used Earth Mama Angel Baby during most of my daughter's first year. Now we use unscented Dove and Aveeno bar soap and Aveeno brand shampoo.
