Johnson & Johnson proposes settlement of talc lawsuits

Personal care product manufacturer Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has proposed $6.5 billion to settle lawsuits with claimants alleging the company’s talc-based products caused ovarian cancer.

Asbestos, a known carcinogen, is a common contaminant when mining for talc. When asbestos contaminates talc products, it exposes consumers to life-threatening illness.

J&J stopped selling its talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020. J&J’s baby powder now contains a cornstarch-based alternative. Earlier this year, J&J settled a separate lawsuit related to wrongfully marketed its baby powder.

Consumers deserve to know that the products on store shelves are safe to use.  That’s why U.S. PIRG has been calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to more strictly regulate potentially dangerous consumer products — including calling for a ban on talc.