New York, May 21: Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson announced on Tuesday it would stop selling talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada, where sales had already been hit by changing consumer habits and fears the product causes cancer.

The company has long denied claims that the talc powder it uses contains cancer-causing asbestos, but has nonetheless been taken to court several thousands of times over the allegations. NCPCR Seeks Test Report of Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo and Power From Government Bodies.

In a statement, Johnson & Johnson said it remained "steadfastly confident" in the product's safety and would "vigorously" defend against the lawsuits, noting that all guilty verdicts passed against the company have been overturned. Johnson & Johnson Recalls 33000 Bottles of Baby Powder After Cancer Causing Asbestos Found in Test Sample; Here’s What You Should Know.

Johnson & Johnson Discontinues Talc-Based Baby Powder In U.S.: Know Why It Faced Lawsuits For Years:

"As part of a portfolio assessment related to COVID-19, in March, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health stopped shipping hundreds of items in the US and Canada to prioritize high-demand products and to allow for appropriate social distancing in manufacturing and distribution facilities," the statement said.

It then decided to discontinue around 100 products in the two countries, including the talc-based powder.

"Demand for talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder in North America has been declining due in large part to changes in consumer habits and fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising," the company said.

Existing stocks of the powder will be sold in the US and Canada until they run out, the company said, and the product will remain for sale in countries where there is "significantly higher consumer demand."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 21, 2020 12:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).