American company Johnson & Johnson is ending sales of its popular talcum powder in the U.S. and Canada. The product is called Johnson's Baby Powder. Its demand has decreased in recent years as a result of thousands of lawsuits claiming it has caused cancer.
美国强生公司将停止在美国和加拿大销售其颇受欢迎的含滑石粉成分的爽身粉。该产品名为强生婴儿爽身粉。近年来对这种产品的需求有所下降，原因是有数万起诉讼称其致癌。

The company, also known as J&J, is the world's biggest maker of health care products. It said the product will still be sold outside the U.S. and Canada.
强生公司是全球最大的保健产品制造商。该公司称这种产品仍将在美国和加拿大以外的国家销售。

J&J said decreasing demand was mainly caused by changes in consumer buying behavior "fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product." It also blamed major advertising campaigns launched by law firms.
强生公司表示，需求下降主要是由“围绕产品安全性的错误信息所推动”的消费者购买行为的变化而导致的。它还指责律师事务所发起的大型宣传活动。

The company faces about 19,400 lawsuits claiming its talcum powder caused users to develop some forms of cancer.
该公司面临了19400起诉讼，指其含滑石粉成分的爽身粉导致了用户患上某种癌症。

Of the cases that went to trial, J&J has had 12 wins, 15 losses and seven mistrials. All of the losses have either been overturned on appeal or are still under appeal.
在审理过的案件中，强生公司赢了12场，输了15场，还有7场流审。所有输掉的官司要么在上诉中被推翻，要么仍在上诉中。

The company claims the talcum powder is safe and doesn't cause cancer.
该公司称其含滑石粉成分的爽身粉是安全的，不会导致癌症。

"Whether or not the powder actually causes cancer, people became hesitant to use the product," Erik Gordon said in an email to The Associated Press. He is a professor at the University of Michigan's business school.
埃里克·戈登在给美联社的电子邮件中表示：“无论这款爽身粉是否真的会致癌，人们对使用这款产品都有了犹疑。”他是密歇根大学商学院的教授。

J&J representative Kimberly Montagnino said the company does not plan to settle any of the lawsuits and will continue to strongly defend the product.
强生公司代表金伯利·蒙塔尼诺表示，该公司不打算对任何诉讼进行和解，并将继续强力维护这款产品。

The New Brunswick, New Jersey, company said the baby powder decision came as it moves to discontinue about 100 consumer health products. It said its aim is to push products that are in high demand during the coronavirus crisis and permit effective social distancing in its factories.
这家位于新泽西州新布仑兹维克的公司表示，做出关于这款婴儿爽身粉的决定，是因为该公司即将停止生产约100种保健消费品。该公司表示，其目的是推出在新冠病毒危机期间需求量很大的产品，并使其工厂可以进行有效的社交隔离。

J&J will still sell its less-popular cornstarch-based baby powder in North America.
强生公司仍将在北美销售其人气较低的含玉米淀粉的婴儿爽身粉。

I'm Alice Bryant.
我是爱丽丝·布莱恩特。(51VOA.COM原创翻译，禁止转载，违者必究！)

American company Johnson & Johnson is ending sales of its popular talcum powder in the U.S. and Canada. The product is called Johnson's Baby Powder. Its demand has decreased in recent years as a result of thousands of lawsuits claiming it has caused cancer.

The company, also known as J&J, is the world's biggest maker of health care products. It said the product will still be sold outside the U.S. and Canada.

In this April 15, 2011, file photo, a bottle of Johnson's baby powder is displayed. Johnson & Johnson is ending production of its iconic talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder.

J&J said decreasing demand was mainly caused by changes in consumer buying behavior "fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product." It also blamed major advertising campaigns launched by law firms.

The company faces about 19,400 lawsuits claiming its talcum powder caused users to develop some forms of cancer.

Of the cases that went to trial, J&J has had 12 wins, 15 losses and seven mistrials. All of the losses have either been overturned on appeal or are still under appeal.

The company claims the talcum powder is safe and doesn't cause cancer.

"Whether or not the powder actually causes cancer, people became hesitant to use the product," Erik Gordon said in an email to The Associated Press. He is a professor at the University of Michigan's business school.

J&J representative Kimberly Montagnino said the company does not plan to settle any of the lawsuits and will continue to strongly defend the product.

The New Brunswick, New Jersey, company said the baby powder decision came as it moves to discontinue about 100 consumer health products. It said its aim is to push products that are in high demand during the coronavirus crisis and permit effective social distancing in its factories.

J&J will still sell its less-popular cornstarch-based baby powder in North America.

I'm Alice Bryant.

The Associated Press reported this story. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

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Words in This Story

talcum powder - n. a soft, white powder that is used to make your skin feel dry and smooth

lawsuit - n. a process by which a court of law makes a decision to end a disagreement between people or organizations

consumer. n. a person who buys goods and services

hesitant - adj. slow to act or speak especially because you are nervous or unsure about what to do

cornstarch - n. a fine powder made from corn