Nairobi, June 24 -- The High Court has dismissed a petition seeking an immediate ban on talc-based Johnson & Johnson baby powder, ruling that claims the product causes cancer were not supported by sufficient evidence, and that existing consumer protection mechanisms had not been exhausted.

The court found that the petitioner, Frederick Bikeri, failed to prove that Johnson & Johnson baby powder sold in Kenya was carcinogenic or posed a demonstrable threat to consumers.

The judge also held that the dispute should first have been pursued through statutory consumer protection and product standards processes before being lodged as a constitutional case.

"The petitioner has failed to establish, to the required standard of proof, that the tal...