The Makers of LISTERINE® and REACH® Encourage Healthy Habits by Supporting the American Heart Association's My Heart. My Life.™ Heart Healthy Living Initiative

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., March 7, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- More than two-thirds of Americans are not regularly implementing a healthy oral care routine each day, which includes brushing and rinsing twice daily, and flossing at least once a day. To get Americans back on track, the makers of LISTERINE® and REACH® are helping to improve oral health habits and supporting the American Heart Association's heart healthy living initiative, My Heart. My Life.™ Olympic snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler will spread the word about brushing, flossing and rinsing each day as an important part of a good oral health lifestyle.

"Maintaining a healthy body from head to toe is a big part of who I am, but until I teamed up with the makers of LISTERINE® and REACH®, I didn't realize that brushing your teeth alone misses 75 percent of your mouth," said Bleiler. "It's clear that a healthy lifestyle goes beyond the gym and the dinner plate – it includes a thorough oral care regimen."

Through this support, the makers of LISTERINE® and REACH® will help the American Heart Association educate Americans on the importance of establishing healthy habits through local American Heart Association Heart Walk sponsorships in select markets.

"We share a common goal with the American Heart Association in our commitment to instilling strong health and wellness values among Americans," said Lori Deo, Director, Oral Care, Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. "Taking minutes a day to build good habits can make a lasting impact. To lead a healthier life, taking care of your mouth should be as routine as hand washing, exercising and eating right."

"The collaboration between the American Heart Association and the makers of LISTERINE® and REACH® will enhance our efforts to empower Americans to make positive lifestyle changes," said William H. Roach Jr., Chairman, American Heart Association. "Whether it is adding a 30-minute walk, or creating routine oral care habits, it all contributes to a healthier lifestyle."

To learn more about the My Heart. My Life.™ heart healthy living initiative, visit www.heart.org/myheartmylife, and to find out how you can improve your oral care routine and view an educational message from Gretchen Bleiler, visit www.Listerine.com.

American Heart Association® does not endorse any sponsor product.

About LISTERINE® Antiseptic

LISTERINE® Antiseptic is the number one dentist-recommended brand of over-the-counter antimicrobial mouthrinse and the only nationally branded over-the-counter antimicrobial mouthrinse that has earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance. First offered for sale in 1879, first marketed for oral hygiene in 1895, and made today by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., LISTERINE® Antiseptic contains a fixed combination of four essential oils and is clinically proven to kill germs that cause plaque, gingivitis and bad breath. To learn more about LISTERINE® Antiseptic and to further explore the mouth-body connection, visit www.listerine.com.

About REACH® brand

The makers of REACH® revolutionized the toothbrush with design inspired by precision dental instruments that deliver superior cleaning. In fact, clinical studies show that REACH® toothbrushes remove as much as 90% of plaque from hard to reach places.  One hundred years of innovation has led to a complete line of REACH® floss that is designed to deliver a superior clean, no matter what your oral care needs.  

Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. 

Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. is a leader in the consumer oral health and whitening market with LISTERINE® Antiseptic Mouthwash, LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE Anticavity Mouthwash, LISTERINE® WHITENING® Quick Dissolving Strips, LISTERINE® WHITENING® Pre-Brush Rinse, LISTERINE® WHITENING® VIBRANT WHITE® Pre-Brush Rinse, LISTERINE® WHITENING® Pen, LISTERINE® SMART RINSE®, LISTERINE® AGENT COOL BLUE®, REACH® toothbrushes, REACH® floss, and REMBRANDT® tooth whitening products.

(This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based on current expectations of future events.  If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson.  Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; economic factors, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign health care reforms and governmental laws and regulations; trends toward health care cost containment; and increased scrutiny of the healthcare industry by government agencies.  A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Exhibit 99 of Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2011.  Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson.  Neither Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertake to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.)

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke — America's No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.