This original post written August 2012. Scroll down for recent update. Unfortunately, it’s not surprising.

No more tears?  I would rather have no more formaldehyde.  I just might get my wish.

Today, the personal care giant announced that it would voluntarily (after consistent pressure from the public and groups like EWG) remove hidden formaldehyde, specifically quaternium-15, from their baby products like baby shampoo and baby washes.  Didn’t know that quaternium-15 releases formaldehyde? Formaldehyde is “hidden” in ingredient names like “DMDM hydantoin“, and “1,4 dioxane” (which is “hidden” in listed ingredients like “fragrance”.  It’s all a big fun game, you see.).

“There’s a very lively public discussion going on about the safety of ingredients in personal care products,” said Susan Nettesheim, VP for product stewardship and toxicology for J & J. This “lively discussion” has been going on since 2011.

Lively discussion?  If someone was selling you shampoo for…