FDA hauls up Johnson & Johnson on 'baby' branding

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has served a notice on Johnson & Johnson to remove the word ''baby'' its their products. The FDA says it passed the order because Johnson & Johnson products do not use anything that qualifies as a childcare ingredient.

The notice, which was prompted by consumer complaints, says the company is misbranding its products.

"We received complaints that some children had had rashes as a side effect. We conducted investigations and realised that Johnson''s Baby Oil is made completely of liquid paraffin. That is mineral oil which is not in keeping with branding of the product or the way it is communicated," said A Ramkrishnan, FDA commissioner, Maharashtra. Johnson & Johnson has 15 days to file its reply to the notice.

The government is also targeting other cosmetic goods, which promote brands based on various natural ingredients.

"Some Wipro products are also being investigated. Soaps that are being branded as turmeric soaps and sandalwood soaps even though there is no percentage of these ingredients used. Companies cannot sell such misbranded products," Ramkrishnan said.