JOHNSON & JOHNSON OFFERS $5.5BN TO SETTLE TALC POWDER LAWSUITS

Johnson & Johnson has offered to pay up to $5.5bn (£4.14bn) to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits in the United States alleging that its baby powder and other talcum-based products caused ovarian cancer. The New Jersey-based healthcare company stated that it will provide up to $3bn in the next year, with no further payments required before 2028. The proposed settlement requires acceptance by legal firms representing 95 per cent of ovarian cancer claims across state and federal courts before it becomes final.

The lawsuits against J&J over talc-based baby powder began in 2009 and have represented a long-running legal dispute for the company. J&J has consistently denied that its talc products caused cancer and stated that studies show talc is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer. However, plaintiffs and their survivors have alleged that J&J's products caused ovarian cancer due to contamination with asbestos, a known carcinogenic material found in seams near talc deposits. In July 2026, a federal court handed J&J a victory by questioning whether individual plaintiffs could prove talc was the direct cause of their cancer. J&J's former consumer health business, Kenvue, holds liability for Johnson's baby powder outside North America following its spin-off from J&J in 2022.

Erik Haas, J&J's vice president of litigation, stated that the company views the allegations as "meritless" and that the settlement allows J&J to resolve the matter and remain focused on developing medicines and devices. Haas said the company was confident it would have "ultimately prevailed with further litigation" based on its success in the majority of cases heard in court. In 2022, J&J announced it would stop making and selling its talc-based baby powder globally.