Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has offered up to $5.5 billion, approximately 185 billion baht, to settle over 69,000 lawsuits in the U.S. alleging that baby powder and talc-containing products caused ovarian cancer, despite the company maintaining that its products are safe and the claims are baseless.
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced a proposal to pay up to $5.5 billion, about 185 billion baht, to end a major lawsuit in the United States involving tens of thousands of plaintiffs accusing the company’s baby powder and talc-based products of causing ovarian cancer.
This proposal represents a significant effort to resolve a protracted legal dispute that has lasted many years and affected the reputation and operations of the major New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company.
However, Johnson & Johnson continues to deny all allegations, asserting that their talc-containing products do not cause cancer, and that they have reformulated their popular baby powder from talc to cornstarch.
Eric Hass, J&J’s vice president of litigation, stated that the allegations are "without merit" and that the company chose to settle to conclude the long-running dispute, emphasizing confidence that continued litigation would result in victories, as in most previous cases.
Johnson & Johnson said the offer covers approximately 69,000 talc-related cases, which constitute the majority of pending lawsuits, with a maximum payment of $3 billion scheduled for next year and no further payments before 2028.
However, the agreement will only take effect if at least 95% of the law firms representing ovarian cancer plaintiffs in state and federal courts approve the proposal.
Lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson concerning talc-containing baby powder began in 2009, with consumers and families of deceased plaintiffs alleging that the talc in the products was contaminated with asbestos, a carcinogen, since natural talc deposits are often near asbestos layers.
Previously, in July, a U.S. federal court ruled favorably toward talcum powder, noting that the individual plaintiffs had not clearly proven that talcum powder directly caused ovarian cancer.
Johnson & Johnson has consistently maintained that numerous scientific studies indicate their talcum powder is safe, free from asbestos contamination, and does not cause cancer.
Despite affirming product safety, in 2022 the company announced it would cease global production and sales of talc-based baby powder, after having stopped U.S. sales over two years earlier, switching entirely to cornstarch-based baby powder as part of a global product strategy shift.
Responsibility for the baby powder brand outside North America now lies with Kenvue, a company that separated from Johnson & Johnson in 2022 and owns several well-known consumer brands including Band-Aid, Listerine, and Calpol.
.BBC