Multiple lawsuits have been filed in the United States and Canada against three subsidiaries of Dabur India Limited. These suits claim that the hair products produced by these companies are linked to ovarian and uterine cancer. The subsidiaries facing litigation are Namaste Laboratories LLC (“Namaste”), Dermoviva Skin Essentials Inc. (“Dermoviva”), and Dabur International Ltd. (“DINTL”).
As per an exchange filing, the cases are currently in the early stages of litigation, with approximately 5,400 cases part of the multidistrict litigation (MDL) that include Namaste, Dermoviva, and DINTL as defendants, along with other industry players.
However, the mentioned subsidiaries have refuted these allegations and have sought legal representation to defend themselves in these lawsuits. They argue that the claims are based on incomplete and unsubstantiated studies, as indicated in the filing.
In a parallel development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has proposed banning certain hair straightening products containing formaldehyde. The FDA asserts that these products are associated with hormone-related cancers and can result in “long-term adverse health effects,” as reported by Fox Business.
The FDA is considering a ban on formaldehyde and other formaldehyde-releasing chemicals such as methylene glycol in straightening products. These chemical hair straighteners release carcinogens and can lead to “long-term adverse health effects.”
The report highlights that inhaling formaldehyde frequently can result in various health problems. In the short term, it may lead to eye and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, and chest pain. Over the long term, it can result in chronic issues, including frequent headaches, asthma, and an increased risk of uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer.
A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, which involved 33,500 women in the United States, indicated that women who regularly use straightening products face over twice the risk of developing uterine cancer compared to those who do not use these products. The study also revealed that they may encounter difficulties conceiving a child.
The study further noted that approximately 60% of the participants who reported using straighteners in the past year were self-identified as Black women. While rates of uterine cancer have been on the rise among women of all ethnic backgrounds, the increase has been most significant among women of color, including Asian and Hispanic women.
