Following the Maharashtra FDA's note to all the state drugs departments on the issue of Johnson & Johnson for using the word 'Baby" on its products, AP Drugs Control Administration (APDCA) is gathering relevant information from the market and is searching for literature to evaluate the scope of violation, if any, Ranga Rao, director of AP DCA told Pharmabiz.

A highly placed source in the AP DCA opined, J& J's baby care products had been marketed all over the world including India for past many decades by using the word 'baby' on its products. There is no reason to find fault with the usage of the word, now. The ISI also permits usage of additional liquid oils in the hair oils meant for infants.

It may be recalled Maharashtra FDA commissioner earlier commented that the liquid paraffin or mineral oil used in the products like baby oil could be carcinogenic and could be harmful to infants. J & J 's baby lotion contains mineral oil, glycol stearate, carbomer and its baby cream contains mineral oil, glycerin and glyceril stearate SE. These products are readily available in the chemist shops of Hyderabad.

A retail trader said, even if its wrong to use the word 'baby' in J & J 's products, the company may take some time to decide upon the future course of action. The company's baby care products are available worldwide. If the products really have chemicals or ingredients that are harmful to infants, the company will no doubt replace with a safer alternative.