J&J told to stop using 'baby' in oil label

The oil contains no qualities that are beneficial to infant skins.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Maharashtra has asked Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to stop using the word "baby" on its products or procure a certification from the Drug Controller of India permitting it to do so.

In another major development, the FDA has asked manufacturers of vitamin and dietary supplements to obtain drug licences by July 1 to be able to make and sell their products.

Confirming the two developments, a senior FDA official told Business Standard: "With J&J the issue pertained to child care. While its product was advertised as beneficial to infant skins, tests have revealed that the paraffin oil used in the product contains no such qualities."

When contacted, the public relations agency that represents J&J said the company had not received any such order from the FDA and so was not in a position to comment.

Another FDA official said: "The same oil may be harmless for adults. Hence through the three hearings held, with J&J executives in attendance, we have sought the dropping of 'baby' from the company's product labels or certification from the Drug Controller of India that it is permitted to use the word. The formal orders will be issued in a couple of days."

On the issue of dietary supplement manufacturers, the official said the FDA had taken up the issue on a matter of principle.

"Vitamins and dietary supplements come within the charter of drugs and are still being sold by these firms under food licences. While vitamins are beneficial, too much of a vitamin might actually be harmful."