Baby Powder Alerts!

Most people associate Asbestos with high-risk trades such as shipbuilding, construction, power generation, and oil refining. News of Asbestos in Baby Powder is often met with shock and disbelief.

The Facts: Asbestos and Talc are minerals extracted from rock. Deposits of Asbestos are adjacent to Talc deposits at many U.S. and international Talc mines. When Talc is extracted and processed it can become mixed with Asbestos. In the absence of appropriate testing by mines and end-product manufacturers, Asbestos-Contaminated Talc products such as Baby Powder, Cosmetic Powders, and Medicated Powders were sold to unsuspecting consumers, without any warning.

In recent years, we have learned that Talc companies knew about Asbestos in source Talc and end products as early as the 1960s and 70s but failed to remove it or warn the public. Their response was, instead, a campaign of denial marked by opposition to more effective testing standards, attacking scientific studies, attempting to re-define asbestos, and, of late, public assurances of safety. Click here to see a Timeline of Asbestos in Talc. 

Johnson & Johnson, manufacturer of the iconic Johnson’s Baby Powder, has dominated the Talc product market for over 100 years. Its sales outpace all competitors combined. Not surprisingly, J&J is the main protagonist in the campaign to deny a link between Talc and Asbestos Cancer, in both the media and the courts.

Worthington Caron, PC was involved in the first mesothelioma case against J&J in 1997 and has been part of the on-going effort to disclose J&J’s long-standing knowledge of Asbestos in its products.

On this page, you will find a compendium of resources and news stories regarding J&J and Asbestos. Check back often for updates and Contact Us for more information.

Last month, 42 states reached a $700 million nationwide settlement with Johnson & Johnson, resolving allegations that J&J misled consumers about the safety of their talc-based products.

Please click here for the full article.

July 17, 2024

For the second time this year, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court struck down Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) attempt to seek bankruptcy protection of its subsidiary, LTL Management.

Please click here for the full article.

August 14, 2023

Asbestos Plaintiffs Brace for Their Day in Court Against J&J

J&J has been in the midst of contesting recent rejections of their controversial bankruptcy strategy. A hearing on yet another attempt for them to declare their talc subsidiary, LTL Management, bankrupt is expected later this month.

Please click here for the full article.

August 10, 2023

CNN Investigates Johnson & Johnson’s Legal Battles

CNN recently took a critical investigative look at Johnson & Johnson—their iconic brand and products, and their never-ending legal woes stemming from their asbestos contaminated talcum powder.

Please click here for the full article.

May 15, 2023

J&J Will Appeal Texas Two-Step Strategy to Supreme Court

In the ongoing legal battle involving Johnson & Johnson’s use of the much-criticized Texas Two-Step, J&J now plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Please click here for the full article.

March 24, 2023

Senator Durbin Applauds Recent Appellate Court Ruling for J&J

Senator Dick Durbin once again criticized Johnson & Johnson’s attempt to escape accountability and exploit loopholes in bankruptcy law. This time, however, he has reason to praise the recent Appellate Court ruling which rejected the Texas Two-Step legal maneuver.

Please click here for the full article.

March 13, 2023

Appeals Court Rejects J&J's Controversial Bankruptcy Plan

In a win for mesothelioma plaintiffs, a three-judge panel in the Federal Appeals Court/Third Circuit court of Philadelphia has unanimously ruled that Johnson & Johnson cannot use bankruptcy to sidestep more than 40,000 talcum-powder lawsuits.

Please click here for the full article.

Johnson & Johnson Will Stop Selling Talc-Based Baby Powder Worldwide Next Year

Despite previously discontinuing sales of talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020 after growing public pressure, Johnson & Johnson still managed to eke out an excuse to continue selling tainted baby powder in global markets.

Please click here for the full article.

Johnson & Johnson’s Bankruptcy Plan to be Reviewed by Appellate Court

A Federal Appeals Court will revisit the controversial ruling allowing Johnson & Johnson to use the Texas Two-Step tactic to transfer individual talc lawsuits to mass bankruptcy claims.

Please click here for the full article.

May 19, 2022

Johnson & Johnson’s Rejects Vote to Stop Selling Talc

Johnson & Johnson voted against a proposal to end sales of its talc-based baby powder globally at its annual shareholder meeting on April 28, 2022.

Please click here for the full article.

May 12, 2022

Johnson & Johnson’s Shareholders to Vote to End Sales of Talc-Based Baby Powder Worldwide

Johnson & Johnson is being forced into a shareholder vote on Thursday, April 28, at its 2022 Annual Shareholder meeting to end all sales of its talc-based baby powder globally.

Please click here for the full article.

April 28, 2022

Johnson & Johnson’s Controversial Prison Experiments Revealed

Unsealed documents from more than 50 years ago, reveal that Johnson & Johnson funded experiments on prison inmates to examine the effects of talc. Bloomberg News reports that J&J’s involvement in these controversial talc studies was not made public until last week.

Please click here for the full article.

March 16, 2022

Senator Durbin Blasts Johnson & Johnson’s Bankruptcy Plan

Speaking from the U.S. Senate floor on February 15, Sen. Dick Durbin condemned Johnson & Johnson’s controversial bankruptcy strategy, which he labeled “shameful and indefensible”, to limit their massive legal liability to asbestos talc plaintiffs.

Please click here for the full article.

February 21, 2022

Johnson & Johnsons Plan to Limit Compensation to Talc Plaintiffs Revealed

Once again leading the charge, Reuters issued a special report detailing the bombshell story of how Johnson & Johnson strategized the plan to limit compensation to asbestos talc victims.

Please click here for the full article.

February 21, 2022

Chanel, Revlon, and L’Oreal Join Johnson & Johnson in Removing Talc from Products

Major cosmetic brands Chanel, Revlon, and L’Oreal are following suit with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and will stop the manufacture and sale of talc-based cosmetic products.

Please click here for the full article.

July 8, 2020

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J&J to Stop Sale of Talc Baby Powder-A Major Victory for US Consumers!

As reported on May 19 by Environmental Working Group (EWG) Johnson & Johnson ("J&J") will stop the sale of talc-based baby powder in the US and Canada.

Please click here for the full article.

May 22, 2020

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FDA Holds Public Hearing—Stands Up to Cosmetic Talc Industry on Asbestos Testing Standards

On February 4, 2020, the FDA held a public hearing on testing methodology for asbestos in talc and cosmetics. This is the first time the FDA has held a public hearing on the matter for nearly 50 years.

Please click here for the full article.

February 17, 2020

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FDA’s Upcoming Hearing on Talc Testing Standards

On February 4, 2020 the FDA will hold the first public hearing on testing methodology for asbestos in talc and cosmetics since 1971.

Please click here for the full article. 

January 22, 2020

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New Mexico Sues Johnson & Johnson for False Advertising and Misleading the Public of the Dangers of Talc

 

Attorney general of New Mexico, Hector Balderas, announced in a press release on January 6 that he has filed suit on behalf of the state of New Mexico against Johnson & Johnson and three other corporations for wrongful marketing, sale and promotion of asbestos-containing talcum powder products. 

Please click here for the full article. 

January 10, 2020 

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Johnson & Johnson & Its Old Pal the FDA

 

Last week Reuters News published a new report as part of their continuing investigation into Johnson & Johnson revealing new details on how the corporate giant used its relationship with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to manipulate the public's trust for more than 50 years. Please click here for the full article. 

December 16, 2019

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The Call is Coming from the Basement

 

Earlier this month the Food and Drug Administration announced that lab tests had found trace amounts of chrysotile asbestos fibers in a bottle of Johnson & Johnson's talc baby powder. J&J issued a recall of 33,000 bottles of baby powder in response but has vehemently denied the accuracy of the tests. The samples were contaminated. The baby powder was counterfeit. They were framed! Please click here for the full article. 

October 31, 2019 

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Retailers Remove Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder from Shelves

Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid have all removed Johnson & Johnson's baby powder from their shelves after last Friday's safety recall was issued when news broke that J&J's talc baby powder was contaminated with asbestos. Please click here for the full article. 

October 28, 2019 

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EWG to Congress: Protect Our Children from Asbestos

The Environmental Working Group is again urging Congress to require warning labels on talc products after Johnson & Johnson issued a recall last week of 33,000 bottles of their baby powder after testing conducted by the Food and Drug Administration found asbestos in the product. J&J voluntarily recalled lot #22318RB, which was manufactured and shipped for distribution last year. Please click here for the full article. 

October 24, 2019

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Johnson & Johnson Recalls Baby Powder Over Asbestos Concerns

On October 18, Johnson & Johnson announced that it was voluntarily recalling 33,000 bottles of baby powder after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration discovered trace levels of chrysotile asbestos from the same lot. The recall represents the first time J&J has pulled baby powder from store shelves and completely undercuts its legal defense insisting that their baby powder has always been safe . Please click here for the full article. 

October 22, 2019 

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NYT’s “The Weekly” Tackles the Toxicity of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder

"The Weekly," a new TV series from The New York Times, latest episode centers around a woman diagnosed with mesothelioma who chose to spend what turned out to be her last few months fighting Johnson & Johnson. Patricia Schmitz vividly recalls the almost sacred ritual of bathing and powering her younger siblings and later herself and her children, after all, how much damage could you do with powdering? Click here to read more. 

October 14, 2019

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Johnson & Johnson under Criminal Investigation for Asbestos Cover Up

Johnson & Johnson is facing a criminal investigation by the U.S. Justice Department following revelations the company knew its talc products, including the iconic Baby Powder, were contaminated with asbestos but continued to sell the products for over 40 years without passing the information along to investors and consumers. Please click here for the full article. 

July 17, 2019 

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FDA Confirms Asbestos in Claire's Makeup; Acknowledges Need For Regulation of Cosmetics Industry

On Tuesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Safety Statement and a Recall Alert after confirming the presence of asbestos in cosmetic powder makeup products marketed to young girls and teens, and sold by retailer Claire's. Please click here for the full article. 

March 8, 2019 

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Johnson & Johnson Issued Federal Subpoenas as Part of On-Going Investigation

The New York Times reports that in an SEC filing this week, Johnson & Johnson disclosed it had been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice and SEC regarding allegations that it led a decades-long campaign to cover up asbestos in Baby Powder and other talc products. Please click here for the full article. 

February 22, 2019

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J&J Supplier Imerys Files for Bankruptcy Protection Amid Talc Lawsuits

 

On February 13, Imerys Talc America, a major talc supplier for Johnson & Johnson, filed for bankruptcy protection amid mounting lawsuits claiming exposure to its talc causes mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Imerys is routinely named as a co-defendant alongside cosmetic giant, Johnson & Johnson. Please click here for the full article. 

February 15, 2019 

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NYT Report Finds Cosmetics Industry's Lax Regulations Hurts Consumers

Unlike the pharmaceutical industry, the personal-care industry is essentially self-regulated. In fact, the federal government has not updated the laws regulating the personal care industry since 1938 when it was first enacted. In addition, the FDA does not require safety-testing on products before they hit the market and limits its oversight to adequately monitor products thereafter. 

Over the years, chemicals linked to reproductive and developmental health issues found in nail polish, hair and skin products have demonstrated the need for new cosmetic regulations. The recent headline-grabbing reports about the discovery and cover-up of asbestos-tainted talc represents yet another demand for full transparency and disclosure of toxic ingredients in products. Please click here for the full article. 

February 13, 2019

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SELF Asks: How Worried Do You Need to Be About Asbestos in Baby Powder and Other Talc Products?

In the wake of the recent Reuters investigative report finding Johnson & Johnson knew about asbestos in its talc products for decades, the popular women's health, beauty and style publication, SELF, examined the health risks currently posed by talc products. Please click here for the full article. 

February 4, 2019 

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Sri Lanka Halts Imports of Johnson’s Baby Powder Over Asbestos Concerns

 

On January 30, 2019 Reuters reported that the National Health Ministry of Sri Lanka has banned imports of Johnson’s Baby Powder until independent testing of talc supplies proves the talc is asbestos free. This move comes in the wake of a December 2018 Reuters Investigative Report finding Johnson & Johnson knew for decades its Baby Powder contained asbestos. Please click here for the full article. 

February 1, 2019 

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Senator Murray “Troubled” by Reports J&J Hid Risks of Baby Powder­Demands CEO to Produce Asbestos Info

 

On January 28, 2019, the United States Senate took the monumental step of demanding that consumer products giant, Johnson & Johnson, produce documents and information relating to asbestos in J&J Baby Powder. 

The demand was communicated in a letter from Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Republican-controlled Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, to J&J CEO Alex Gorsky. Please click here for the full article 

January 31, 2019 

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California Jury finds Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Contained Asbestos, was Defective, and its Risks were "Known or Knowable" to the Company.

San Pedro, CA. Johnson & Johnson has been waging an all-out campaign to rehabilitate its image in the wake of a December 14, 2018 report by Reuters News finding the company knew for decades its iconic Baby Powder contained asbestos. When the story broke, J&J shares fell 10% in one day, translating into a $40 billion loss. Please click here for the full article.

January 17, 2019

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Los Angeles Times: "Johnson & Johnson's baby powder risk expands: It faces triple the cancer trials in 2019"

2019 is not looking bright for Johnson & Johnson.

2018 ended with bombshell news reports from Reuters News and the New York Times, chronicling evidence of J&J’s decades’-old concern about asbestos in baby powder which it hid from the public. The evidence was presented in numerous lawsuits J&J defended across the country in which it was asserted that asbestos in J&J products caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The news sparked investor concern leading to J&J’s biggest drop in market value in a decade. Please click here for the full article.

December 31, 2018

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Toxic UnTruths

It was deceptive then, and it’s deceptive now.

Over 70 years ago a major asbestos insulation manufacturer marketed their products as “non-irritating and non-toxic.” They went further and asserted their asbestos insulation actually contributed to “worker well-being on the job.”

That same company, Owens Corning Fiberglas, eventually filed for bankruptcy protection.

We’ve seen this before. Please click here for the full article.

December 21, 2018

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J&J moves to limit impact of Reuters report on asbestos in Baby Powder

In an update to their bombshell reporting on Johnson & Johnson’s history of asbestos tainted talc, Reuter’s “stands by its reporting” as J&J continues to deal with the fallout of their PR nightmare and plummeting stock.

J&J has taken out full-page ads in major and local newspapers (click here to view the ad) asserting that talc is common, safe and beneficial. “If we had any reasons to believe our talc was unsafe, it would be off our shelves.” J&J CEO, Alex Gorsky, did an interview with the host of “Mad Money” on CNBC in an attempt to assure investors to have faith in their company and categorically deny any causation between talc and asbestos related illness. Please click here for the full article.

December 20, 2018

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Baby Powder's Possible Asbestos Link Worried Johnson & Johnson for Years

On December 14, 2018, the New York Times published an article investigating Johnson & Johnson’s concern over asbestos in its Baby Powder dating back to the early 1970s. A concern which J&J chose not to share with regulators and shareholders, not to mention American consumers who purchase more Johnson’s Baby Powder than all other brands of Baby Powder combined.

The New York Times article was published the same day as a Reuters News investigative report concluding that Johnson & Johnson “knew for decades that asbestos lurked in its Baby Powder.” News of the day caused shares of J&J to drop 10 percent. Please click here for the full article.

December 18, 2018

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Reuters News: "Johnson & Johnson Knew for Decades That Asbestos Lurked in its Baby Powder"

Back in 1997, our client Darlene Coker was diagnosed with mesothelioma at the age of 52. With the assistance of co-counsel, Herschel Hobson, Roger Worthington and our firm investigated Darlene’s past for exposure to asbestos-containing products, the majority of which were used in industrial, commercial, and military settings. An operator of a massage school, Darlene had no exposure to these types of products. Darlene did, however, regularly use Johnson’s Baby Powder throughout her life.

Having handled cases on behalf of hundreds of workers exposed to asbestos from industrial talc used in the making of tires, it was suspected that asbestos in Baby Powder was responsible for Darlene’s cancer. Research revealed that talc used for cosmetic talc products like Johnson’s Baby Powder, was sourced from the same mines as talc used for industrial talc. Also, reports from the testing of cosmetic talc, in general, revealed that many cosmetic talc products contained asbestos. Please click here for the full article.

December 17, 2018