Johnson & Johnson Agrees to $700 Million Talc Settlement

Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $700 million to settle allegations that it misled consumers about the safety of its talc-based products, including baby powder. This agreement comes after years of legal battles and scrutiny over claims that these products can cause cancer.

The settlement, announced in January 2024, resolves claims from 42 US states and Washington, D.C. It specifically addresses accusations that Johnson & Johnson's talc products, which have been on the market for over a century, contained asbestos and led to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

Despite the settlement, Johnson & Johnson maintains that its talc products are safe and denies any wrongdoing. The company also points out that it withdrew the products from the North American market in 2020.

This settlement is just one part of Johnson & Johnson's efforts to resolve a massive number of lawsuits. In April 2023, the company proposed a separate $8.9 billion settlement to address all remaining claims that its talc products caused ovarian cancer.

The talc litigation against Johnson & Johnson highlights the ongoing debate about the safety of talc-based products. While some studies have suggested a link between talc and cancer, others have not found such a connection. The science surrounding this issue remains complex.