Johnson & Johnson Reaches $700 Million Settlement Over Talc-Based Products

MARYLAND News (6/12/2024) – In a significant development, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that Johnson & Johnson, along with 42 other attorneys general, has reached a $700 million settlement to address allegations related to the marketing of the company’s talc-based baby powder and body powder products. These products have been at the center of controversy due to concerns about their safety.

Attorney General Brown stated that Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries were accused of deceptively promoting their talc-based products, such as Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, misleading consumers about their safety. The settlement includes a commitment from Johnson & Johnson to cease the manufacture, sale, distribution, and promotion of these talc-based products in the United States.

“Many Marylanders who, for decades, trusted that the personal care products they were using were safe and pure, are now suffering horrific consequences. It is inexcusable,” said Attorney General Brown. “We will hold companies who jeopardize public health by promoting and selling products that may contain harmful, cancer-causing substances accountable for their actions.”

Johnson & Johnson has sold Johnson’s Baby Powder for over a century. The investigation into the safety of these products led to the company halting distribution and sales in the United States. More recently, they have ended global sales. The states allege that Johnson & Johnson was aware that its talc powder products could sometimes be tainted with carcinogenic asbestos. Moreover, studies have suggested that women who used these products in the genital area faced an increased risk of ovarian cancer compared to those who did not. Numerous lawsuits by private plaintiffs have also raised allegations that talc causes serious health issues, including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.

The consent judgment filed today stipulates that Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries are prohibited from:

• Resuming the manufacture of baby and body powder products and cosmetic powder products containing talcum powder, including Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, in the United States, either directly or indirectly through any third party.
• Resuming the marketing or promotion of any covered products in the United States, either directly or indirectly through any third party.
• Resuming the sale or distribution of any covered products in the United States, either directly or indirectly through any third party.

This settlement is pending approval by the court, and it represents a substantial step toward resolving the long-standing issues surrounding Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products. The agreement underscores the importance of consumer safety and corporate accountability, particularly when it comes to health-related products.

Johnson & Johnson has consistently maintained that its talc products are safe and free from asbestos, citing decades of scientific evidence supporting their position. However, the company faced a growing number of lawsuits and state investigations that led to this substantial settlement.

The outcome of this settlement will likely have far-reaching implications for both Johnson & Johnson and the broader personal care product industry. Companies will need to be more vigilant in ensuring the safety of their products and transparent in their marketing practices to avoid similar legal challenges in the future.

Story by multiple RFHC contributors.