What’s On Your Baby or Homemade Potato Soup

Are you a parent or grandparent? You’ve probably seen those little yellow and pink bottles of Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo or lotion. Not to mention the little white bottle of baby powder. Heck, they give them away at the hospitals. So they should be safe, right? I mean, the hospitals pass them out to new mommies. That means they must endorse these products. Wrong!

The hospitals give out free samples, but don’t endorse them, or the company that makes them. They might get sued if they did that. One of the biggest companies for baby products is Johnson & Johnson. But did you know…..

In 2007, Johnson & Johnson got their license to produce baby products suspended in India when residues of carcinogenic substances were found in 15 batches of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. It was discovered later on that the talcum powder was sterilized by the carcinogenic ingredient ethylene oxide. Now granted, these products supposedly stayed in India, and didn’t affect your baby in another country….ummm, I wonder.

In 2011 a Canadian news report came out about an international coalition of health and environmental groups that warned Canadians that Johnson’s Baby Shampoo contains carcinogenic chemicals. At the time, Johnson & Johnson Canada claimed that its products comply with Health Canada regulations.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released a report attacking Johnson & Johnson for its shampoo that contains dangerous chemicals, that are sold in Canada and other countries.

Formaldehyde releasing “Dioxane 1,4” and “quaternium-15” are the ingredients in question.   Many reports link formaldehyde to cancer.  These ingredients are on Health Canada’s list of contaminants banned or restricted in cosmetic products.

The report found also that quaternium-15 isn’t in the Johnson’s Baby Shampoo that is sold in Europe. So why does it continue to be present in the product in other countries, (including Canada  and the US). People, Johnson & Johnson doesn’t want you or anyone else going green. They want you to buy and use their products. Their favorite statement is that these chemicals are present in minimal amounts. What happens when you add a lot of small amounts together, you get a bigger amount, right? You also have to factor in how long you’ve used the products containing all these toxic chemicals. Remember, small amounts added together equal a bigger amount, and a bigger amount over a period of years equals an really big amount.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in India, has again suspended the license of Johnson & Johnson.  The company cannot continue production. The FDA of India found “unacceptable levels of ethylene oxide” which was being used to bring down microbes in the infant powder. The reports say that this order will become effective 24 June 2013.

The toxins Johnson & Johnson still include in their products have been proven to be harmful to humans.  They are known carcinogens (cancer causing) an endocrine disruptors. Johnson and Johnson also notoriously still test on animals.  

The news is the latest in a long list of quality control problems at J&J facilities. Its consumer healthcare division has, over the past few years, recalled millions of bottles of over-the-counter products such as Motrin and children's Tylenol.

Beginning in 2009, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a robust organization of human and environmental health groups, began pressuring the company to remove the most toxic ingredients from its shampoos, lotions, and soaps. So, five years later Johnson & Johnson announced its plan to remove toxic chemicals from baby products by the end of 2013. Adult toiletries will be less toxic by 2015, the company told the Associated Press. I guess this means it’s okay to kill off the parents as the babies will be healthier. Johnson & Johnson's new plan will also affect products under the Desitin, Aveeno, Neutrogena, RoC, Clean & Clear, and Lubriderm brand names.

The New Jersey–based company says it will remove chemicals of concern, including carcinogenic formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane, compounds released by bacteria-killing chemicals in the formula. Johnson & Johnson said it will also phase out the antimicrobial and thyroid-damaging chemical triclosan, estrogenic paraben preservatives, and hormone-disrupting plasticizing chemicals known as phthalates, which are commonly found in synthetic fragrances.

Not only do you have to worry about what you eat, but what goes on your body. Baby products, personal care products and cosmetics are a billion dollar industry. These companies care more about their profit than they do about your health. Maybe a bowl of homemade soup will help. I know its healthier.

Ham and Potato Soup

This is a really good soup. It’s easy to make, and the great thing is you can add additional ingredients.

Ingredients:

3 ½ cups peeled and diced potatoes

1/3 cup diced celery

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

¾ cup diced cooked ham

3 ¼ cups water

2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper

5 tablespoons of butter

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

Directions:

Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.

In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork and cook, stirring constantly until thick; About 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick; 4 to 5 minutes.

Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.