Johnson Faces Backlash as 3,000 Talc Allegedly Caused Cancer

(The Post News)– The pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has come under fire and is facing a major lawsuit in the English High Court in the UK over claims that its talc baby powder caused cancer.

This comes after a group of over 3,000 claimants filed a group action lawsuit, alleging that Johnson’s iconic talcum-based baby powder caused them to develop deadly cancers. The claims linking talcum powder to cancer revolve around asbestos, which is a known cause of cancer.

The lawsuit claims that the company’s talcum powder was contaminated with asbestos and that the company knowingly sold the product for decades despite being aware of the associated risks. As a result, the thousands of claimants, who claim that they used Johnson’s baby powder between 1965 and 2023, are seeking damages for developing serious illnesses, primarily ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer that is often linked to asbestos exposure.

Talc, which was used in firm’s talcum powders, is a naturally occurring mineral that is often mined near deposits of asbestos. It is asbestos minerals in their fibrous, needle-like form that are associated with cancer.

Johnson’s Allegedly Suppresses Information of Contaminated Powder

Lawyers representing the group, led by firm KP Law, assert that internal company documents, reports from mining sites, and existing scientific literature would have alerted the firm to the presence of asbestos in their talc supply. It is alleged that Johnson’s suppressed information that suggested the baby powder was contaminated.

Furthermore, the company is accused of lobbying regulators and sponsoring studies to downplay the dangers to protect the product’s reputation and profitability. The lawsuit has been filed against both Johnson and its consumer health spin-off, Kenvue UK Limited; however, both companies have denied the allegations.

A statement issued on behalf of Johnson maintains that the firm’s products meet regulatory standards, were asbestos-free, and do not cause cancer. Meanwhile, the company discontinued sales of its talc-based baby powder in the UK in 2023, amid ongoing global scrutiny.