Johnson & Johnson says new testing of a batch of baby powder that was recently recalled did not show any traces of asbestos.
Earlier this month the company recalled 33,000 bottles of its talc powder after Food and Drug Administration testing revealed trace amounts of the dangerous substance in a single bottle.
But Johnson & Johnson said in a statement Tuesday that dozens of tests by two outside firms did not detect any asbestos in the company's product.
It said the tests covered the bottle previously tested by the FDA and other samples from the same lot that was recalled.
The FDA said, however, that it stands by its testing that found traces of asbestos.  The bottle came from a lot distributed in 2018.
Walmart, CVS and Rite Aid have pulled some or all 22-ounce bottles of Johnson's baby powder from shelves to avoid confusing consumers
The recall comes as J&J fights thousands of lawsuits in which plaintiffs claim its iconic baby powder was contaminated with asbestos and that it caused ovarian cancer or another rare cancer. At multiple trials, J&J experts have testified asbestos hasn't been detected in the talc in its baby powder in many tests over 40 years.
If you or someone you provide care for owns a bottle of Johnson’s Baby Powder Lot #22318RB, you are advised to discontinue use of the product. For refund information, contact the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Care Center at www.johnsonsbaby.com or by calling +1 (866) 565-2229.
(AP contributed to this report.)
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