Johnson & Johnson to Remove Talc from Baby Powder Worldwide by 2023
More than two years after halting North American sales of its iconic talc-based baby powder, a product the company famously touted as “safe enough for babies,” Johnson & Johnson announced earlier this month that it would be replacing its talc-based powders with cornstarch worldwide, beginning next year. The decision to permanently abandon its signature talcum powder products comes at a time when Johnson & Johnson faces thousands of lawsuits filed by consumers who say that their use of the company’s talcum powder caused them to develop cancer. If you or someone you love was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or another cancer after routine use of Johnson’s talc-based baby powder, contact Robert Brown Law as soon as possible. The talcum powder cancer litigation continues to grow, and you and your family may have an opportunity to pursue financial compensation from Johnson & Johnson for your injuries.
Asbestos Particles Found in Johnson’s Talcum Powder
We considered it a victory for consumer safety when Johnson & Johnson announced in May 2020 that it would no longer be selling its talcum powder in the United States and Canada. However, the potential human health threat posed by talc-based baby powder and body powder products remained for consumers in the UK and other parts of the world, where talcum powder sales continued. This permanent switch to a cornstarch-based product seems like a no-brainer for Johnson & Johnson. Cornstarch offers similar benefits to talc in terms of keeping skin dry and preventing diaper rash, without the added risk of potentially causing cancer. Yet, even after Johnson & Johnson was forced to recall 33,000 bottles of its Baby Powder in 2019 when the FDA found small amounts of asbestos, a known carcinogen, in a bottle purchased from an online retailer, and even as evidence emerged that Johnson & Johnson knew for decades that its raw talc and finished powders sometimes contained traces of asbestos, the company continued selling the potentially dangerous powder in the U.S. and around the world.
Johnson & Johnson announced earlier this month that it would be replacing its talc-based powders with cornstarch worldwide, beginning next year.
Johnson & Johnson Stands by Claims that Talcum Powder is Safe
Despite decades of research and thousands of lawsuits linking its products to cancer, Johnson & Johnson “remains steadfastly confident in the safety of talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder,” as the company stated in its May 2020 announcement. The healthcare giant attributed its decision to stop talcum powder sales in the U.S. and Canada to decreased demand due to “changes in consumer habits” and “a constant barrage of litigation advertising.” This latest move to discontinue talcum powder globally by 2023 came with a similar clause. “As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, we have made the commercial decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio,” the company said in a statement issued on August 11, 2022. “We stand firmly behind the decades of independent scientific analysis by medical experts around the world that confirms talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”
Lawsuits Claims Talcum Powder Causes Cancer
Much of the talcum powder litigation currently plaguing Johnson & Johnson centers on claims that talcum powder causes ovarian cancer when used for feminine hygiene purposes, as women across the country and around the world have used it for generations. Thousands of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are now suing Johnson & Johnson, alleging that the company knew or should have known that talcum powder can cause cancer and failed to adequately warn consumers about this considerable risk. However, a growing number of lawsuits have also been brought by former talcum powder users who say that they developed mesothelioma from using talcum powder contaminated with asbestos particles. If you or a loved one developed cancer allegedly caused by exposure to Johnson’s talcum powder, do not hesitate to speak to an experienced talcum powder cancer attorney about your legal options. Contact Robert Brown Law today to find out how we can help.
