Over the past few years, thousands of consumers have come forward with claims against Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and talc-based products. The claimants asserted that the baby powder caused cancer and was contaminated with asbestos. Because of the multitude of allegations and studies that have determined that the talc-based powder has been associated with the risk of cancer, Johnson & Johnson announced on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, that it will discontinue sales of baby powder products in the U.S. and Canada. It is important to note that any bottles that remain in stores can be sold by retailers.
Johnson & Johnson Talc-based Powder Lawsuits
Nationwide, Johnson & Johnson faces more than 16,000 related lawsuits. The lawsuits allege that the company’s powder products were contaminated with asbestos and can potentially cause cancer. Talc is a common ingredient used in powders, such as make-up products, that is mined from the earth. Because both talc and asbestos are derived from the earth, the talc can become contaminated with asbestos if the mining site has not been tested or selected properly.
What Led to Ending the Sales of Talc-Based Baby Powder
Johnson & Johnson released a statement in late 2018 denying that their talc product causes cancer. The company claimed that tests determined that its talc ingredients were safe and asbestos-free. However, separate studies found that the use of talc-based powders used for personal hygiene may increase the risk of cancer, such as mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, due to asbestos minerals found in the talc. 
In October 2019, Johnson & Johnson stated it would remove approximately 33,000 bottles from the market after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found tiny contaminants of asbestos in one of their products. Conversely, Johnson & Johnson’s lab results stated that the recalled lot of products contained no trace of the harmful mineral.
However, despite the recall, the issue was not resolved. There was a 15 percent increase in cases against Johnson & Johnson. As a result, the company announced on May 19, 2020 that it would discontinue the sales of legacy talc-based baby powder products in the U.S. and Canada.
At Panter, Panter & Sampedro, we pride ourselves on protecting Florida’s families. With Johnson & Johnson baby powder still being available in some markets, we want to alert you of the damages that these talc-based products may cause.
If you or someone you know feel that they may have been affected by these products, we encourage you to contact an attorney right away. Learn more about us and how we can help you pursue compensation for your injuries through a product liability claim by calling our office at (305) 662-6178.
References:
Johnson & Johnson Discontinues Talc Powder in U.S., Canada (May 19, 2020) retrieved on May 20th, 2020 from https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-19/johnson-johnson-discontinues-talc-baby-powder-in-u-s-canada
U.S. Judge Rules Talc Lawsuits Against J&J can Proceed, Testimony Limited (April 27,2020) Retrieved on May 20th, 2020 from https://reuters.com/article/us-johnson-johnson-talc-ruling/us-judge-rules-talc-lawsuits-against-jj-can-proceed-testimony-limited-idUSKCN2292QC
Hsu, T., & Rabin, R. (2020, May 19). Johnson & Johnson to End Talc-Based Baby Powder Sales in North America. Retrieved May 20, 2020, from https://nytimes.com/2020/05/19/business/johnson-baby-powder-sales-stopped.htm
