Lawsuits filed against Dabur subsidiaries in the United States and Canada allege that their hair products may be linked to cancer.

19 Oct, 2023

Lawsuits filed against Dabur subsidiaries in the United States and Canada allege that their hair products may be linked to cancer.

Numerous legal actions have been initiated in both the United States and Canada against three subsidiaries affiliated with Dabur. These lawsuits revolve around allegations that certain hair products manufactured by the company are associated with the development of ovarian and uterine cancers. The subsidiaries in question are Namaste Laboratories LLC (referred to as "Namaste"), Dermoviva Skin Essentials Inc. (referred to as "Dermoviva"), and Dabur International Ltd. (referred to as "DINTL"). Each of these entities operates as a subsidiary of Dabur India Limited.

The legal proceedings, as per an official filing with the relevant authorities, are presently in the initial stages, encompassing the pleadings and early discovery phases of litigation. Currently, there are approximately 5,400 cases within the Multi-District Litigation (MDL) framework, where Namaste, Dermoviva, and DINTL are named as defendants, alongside select other industry participants.

It's crucial to note that these subsidiaries categorically deny any liability and have retained legal counsel to robustly defend themselves against these lawsuits. Their defense primarily hinges on the contention that the allegations are predicated on unsubstantiated and incomplete research findings, as underscored in the official filing.

In parallel developments, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed the prohibition of specific hair straightening products that contain formaldehyde, citing their potential links to hormone-related cancers and the capacity to induce "long-term adverse health effects." This revelation was reported by Fox Business on a recent Tuesday.

According to a release issued by the US FDA, the agency is actively evaluating the possibility of prohibiting the use of formaldehyde and other formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, including methylene glycol, within straightening products. These chemical compounds found in hair straighteners have been identified as human carcinogens and are known to carry the risk of causing "long-term adverse health effects." The report further underscores the health hazards of frequent inhalation of formaldehyde, which can result in a spectrum of problems. In the short term, this exposure can lead to irritation of the eyes and throat, as well as symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and chest pain. Over the long term, it has the potential to lead to chronic health issues, including recurring headaches, asthma, and an increased risk of developing uterine cancer, medically known as endometrial cancer.

A notable study conducted by the National Institutes of Health involved a substantial cohort of 33,500 women in the United States. The findings of this study indicate that women who regularly use straightening products face a risk of more than twice the incidence of uterine cancer compared to those who do not use such products. Additionally, it was observed that these individuals may also encounter difficulties in conceiving. The research study also highlighted a demographic aspect, with approximately 60% of the participants who reported frequent use of straighteners in the past year being self-identified as Black women.

While rates of uterine cancer have been on the rise among women across the spectrum, the increase has been particularly pronounced among women of color, including those of Asian and Hispanic backgrounds.

Related News

Interview