VOA慢速英语2020 强生公司将停止在美国和加拿大售卖爽身粉（在线收听）

Company J and J to Stop Selling Talcum Powder in US, Canada

American company Johnson & Johnson is ending sales of its popular talcum powder in the U.S. and Canada.The product is called Johnsons 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国内和加拿大售卖广受欢迎的含滑石粉的爽身粉。这个产品名为强生婴儿爽身粉。近几年来该产品需求有所减少，因为数千起诉讼案件称其致癌。

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

强生公司是世界上最大的健康护理产品生产商。它表示该爽身粉在美国和加拿大以外的国家会继续售卖。

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的主要原因是消费者购买行为“被产品安全相关的错误信息刺激”产生的变化。它还把需求下降归咎于律师事务所发起的大型广告营销活动。

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

强生公司面临着19400起诉讼，称它生产的爽身粉导致用户患上某种癌症。 

Of the cases that went to trial, J&J has had 12 wins, 15 losses and 7 mistrials.All of the losses have either been overturned on appeal or are still under appeal.

在所有审理的案件中，强生公司赢了12起，输了15起，还有7场未决审判。所有输掉的案件不是在上诉时被推翻就是仍处在上诉阶段。

The company claims the talcum powder is safe and doesnt cause cancer.

强生公司宣称爽身粉很安全，并不致癌。 

"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 Michigans business school.

“不论爽身粉是否真的致癌，人们在使用前都会犹豫，”埃里克·戈登在给美联社的邮件中写道。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·蒙塔尼诺说，公司不打算对任何的诉讼进行和解，而且会继续大力维护这款产品。

The New Brunswick, New Jersey, companysaid 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.

强生公司位于新泽西州的新布仑兹维克，该公司表示停售婴儿爽身粉的决定是因为它停产了大约100种保健消费产品。它的目的是在冠状病毒危机期间主推需求高的产品，并且保证工厂内的有效社交距离。

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

强生会继续在北美售卖受欢迎的以玉米淀粉为主的婴儿爽身粉。 

Im Alice Bryant.

爱丽丝·布莱恩特为您报道。