Thousands in the UK are suing Johnson & Johnson for over £1 billion, alleging that decades of using its talc-based baby powder led to cancer due to hidden asbestos, reigniting a global legal battle that has already cost the pharmaceutical giant billions and raised profound questions about corporate responsibility.
A new chapter in the ongoing legal saga against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has opened in the United Kingdom. More than 3,000 individuals have joined a substantial legal claim, estimated to be worth over £1 billion (approximately $1.34 billion), accusing the company of knowingly selling baby powder contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos.
This lawsuit alleges that J&J was aware of the risks associated with its mineral-based talcum powder as early as the 1960s, a claim the company staunchly denies. The UK action mirrors thousands of similar lawsuits filed in the United States, where claimants have been awarded billions of dollars in damages, though some verdicts have been successfully appealed.
A Legacy of Litigation: A Historical Overview
The controversy surrounding J&J’s talcum powder is not new; concerns about a potential link between talc and cancer first surfaced in the early 1970s. According to court documents and investigative reports, allegations suggest J&J may have been aware of asbestos contamination for over 50 years. An in-depth investigation by Reuters in 2018 revealed that J&J knew for decades about the presence of small amounts of asbestos in its products, tracing back to at least 1971. Despite internal findings, the company allegedly did not report all test results to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Key moments in this historical timeline include:
- 1960s: Allegations claim J&J was aware of potential risks in mineral-based talcum powder.
- 1971: Scientists at Mount Sinai Medical Center reportedly found small amounts of asbestos in J&J talc products. Concerns about talc’s link to cancer began to surface more broadly.
- 1972: A University of Minnesota scientist found “incontrovertible asbestos” in a sample of J&J’s Shower to Shower product, a finding J&J reportedly did not disclose to the FDA.
- 1973: Consultants recommended more sensitive asbestos testing methods, which J&J allegedly did not adopt.
- 1980s: Asbestos was widely recognized as dangerous, yet J&J was accused of lobbying regulators to allow continued sales and sponsoring studies to “downplay the dangers.”
- 1987: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, classified asbestos-contaminated talc as a carcinogen.
- 2018: The FDA began testing talcum powder for asbestos, leading to J&J voluntarily withdrawing a batch in 2019 after asbestos fibers were detected.
- 2023: J&J stopped sales of talc-based baby powder in the UK, replacing it with a cornstarch-based alternative, following similar actions in the US and Canada years prior.
The Science of Suspicion: Talc, Asbestos, and Health Risks
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral composed of magnesium, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen, known for its softness and moisture-absorbing qualities. It is widely used in cosmetics, ceramics, and paints. However, the critical issue arises because talc deposits are often found geologically near asbestos, a known carcinogen.
Lawyers for the claimants, such as Michael Rawlinson KC, have asserted in court documents that “there exist very few, if any, commercially exploited talc deposits in the world which do not contain asbestos.” Medical experts and organizations like the IARC have indicated a strong connection between talc contaminated with asbestos and various forms of cancer, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure.
Dr. Adam Clancy, a lecturer in materials chemistry at UCL, has highlighted that the type of asbestos found in talc might be even more damaging than the asbestos typically found in buildings. He explains that the thinner, stronger, and longer fibers in talc-related asbestos can remain in the body longer and cause more damage when inhaled.
Corporate Defense and Strategic Maneuvers
Through every accusation, J&J has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that its baby powder “was compliant with any required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.” They emphasize that their high-quality cosmetic-grade talc was safe.
The company has employed various strategies to manage the extensive litigation:
- Product Reformulation: J&J has phased out talc-based baby powder, replacing it with cornstarch variants, initially in the US and Canada, and later in the UK and internationally by 2023.
- Bankruptcy Attempts: J&J controversially attempted a “Texas two-step” bankruptcy strategy through subsidiaries (LTL Management and Red River Talc LLC) to cap liabilities for tens of thousands of lawsuits. These attempts, however, were repeatedly rejected by U.S. bankruptcy judges, most recently in March/April 2025, forcing J&J back into individual tort litigation.
- Corporate Spin-off: In 2023, J&J spun off its consumer health business into a new publicly traded company, Kenvue. While Kenvue now bears responsibility for talc-related litigation outside the US and Canada, the overall J&J brand reputation remains intertwined with the talc saga. Kenvue has also issued statements defending the safety of the talc-based product, stating it “did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”
Landmark Verdicts and Settlements
The legal battles have been costly for J&J, with significant financial payouts:
- $4.69 Billion Verdict (2018): A Missouri jury ordered J&J to pay this sum to 22 women who linked their ovarian cancer to the company’s talcum powder. This was one of the largest verdicts against the company at the time, as reported by CNN.
- $700 Million Settlement (January 2024): J&J agreed to pay $700 million to resolve allegations of misleading marketing with 42 U.S. states, with payments commencing in July 2024, as confirmed by CBS News.
- $966 Million Verdict (October 2025): Just last week, a Los Angeles jury ordered J&J to pay this amount, including $950 million in punitive damages, to the family of a California woman who died from mesothelioma, a verdict J&J has vowed to appeal, according to Reuters.
These verdicts and settlements underscore the immense financial pressure on J&J and the unpredictable nature of individual trials, creating significant uncertainty for investors.
The Human Element: Stories from the Front Lines
Behind the legal claims and corporate statements are the deeply personal stories of individuals and families who believe their health has been irreversibly harmed. These claimants often describe decades of using J&J’s baby powder, a product once synonymous with purity and care.
Janet Fuschillo, 75, a claimant in the US, shared her experience of using J&J’s baby powder since the 1960s and being diagnosed with ovarian cancer seven years prior. She recounted, “I used talc on myself and all four of my children… I used talc when I changed nappies, after baths, all the time, for close to 50 years.”
In the UK, 63-year-old Siobhan Ryan, diagnosed with stage-four ovarian cancer, told BBC News of her shock: “They knew it was contaminated and still they sold it to new mums and their babies.” Her story highlights the profound sense of betrayal felt by many long-term users.
Broader Implications: Corporate Accountability Under Scrutiny
The protracted J&J talc litigation carries significant wider implications, serving as a powerful precedent for corporate accountability. The repeated rejection of J&J’s bankruptcy maneuvers sends a clear message that courts are increasingly wary of strategies perceived as attempts to shield financially solvent companies from liability through subsidiary bankruptcies. This could lead to greater scrutiny of similar tactics in future mass tort cases across various industries.
The sheer volume of lawsuits and the severity of the allegations could prompt regulators globally to re-evaluate ingredient safety standards and disclosure requirements for commonly used products. Competitors in the consumer health space are undoubtedly watching J&J’s plight closely, potentially prompting them to review their own product formulations and liability management strategies.
What Lies Ahead: A Pivotal Moment for J&J
The immediate future for Johnson & Johnson is fraught with legal challenges. With the bankruptcy route closed for now, the company faces the daunting task of litigating tens of thousands of individual claims in civil courts across the U.S. and potentially globally. This will involve an arduous and expensive process of trials, appeals, and potential settlements, each with the capacity to trigger significant stock volatility.
J&J’s strategic pivots, including the planned spin-off of its orthopedics business, DePuy Synthes, indicate an intent to streamline operations and focus on higher-growth pharmaceutical and medical device segments, which are less exposed to mass tort litigation. However, the “overhang” of the talc litigation will persist, potentially impacting J&J’s ability to attract and retain talent, pursue acquisitions, and maintain its premium valuation until a comprehensive resolution is achieved. This saga represents a pivotal moment, testing J&J’s legal prowess, financial fortitude, and reputation in the market.
