Johnson & Johnson is going forward with plans to take out any of the nasty chemicals consumers have taken issue with recently, by pledging not only to remove “chemicals of concern” from baby products by 2013, but also to reformulate adult products with safer ingredients by the end of 2015.

In late 2011, worried customers and various health and environmental organizations started a campaign to boycott the company over its use of such chemicals, adding to pressure the company was already under from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics coalition since 2009 over it uses of certain ingredients.

“This is a good step in the right direction,” said Lisa Archer, the campaign’s national director. “In terms of the cosmetic giants, Johnson & Johnson is going the furthest of any of them in removing chemicals of concern.”

The Associated Press reports that the baby product plan is still on track, including its No More Tears baby shampoo, and adult products will be redone by the end of 2015. Some of the products included are Johnson’s baby lotion and bath products and Desitin for diaper rash, as well as adult brands including Aveeno, Neutrogena, RoC, Clean & Clear and Lubriderm.

“We want people to have complete peace of mind when they use our products,” said Susan Nettesheim, vice president of product stewardship and toxicology for J&J’s consumer health brands. “We’ve heard from consumers that they want to understand more about our plans” for improving products, she added. “They want more transparency.”

To that end, the company launched a new website www.safetyandcarecommitment.com to inform customers on what it’s doing to make sure its ingredients are safe. Less potentially cancer-causing ingredients and more information about what it is, exactly, that we’re slathering on our faces and baby bottoms? Yes, please.

Johnson & Johnson removing harsh chemicals from adult toiletries and cosmetic products by 2015 [Associated Press]

 

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.