Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has been hit by a UK group action lawsuit claiming that its talcum powder caused cancer.
More than 3,000 people have joined the claim, saying they or a family member suffered from ovarian cancer or mesothelioma from their use of Johnson’s baby powder.
Johnson’s baby powder used mined talc powder in the UK until 2023; the claimants alleged J&J had knowingly sold talc contaminated with asbestos from as early as the 1960s. The company later replaced mined talc with cornstarch.
The UK action has followed similar lawsuits in the US, where J&J has had to pay out massive sums to claimants – including $966m (£720m) awarded in damages earlier in October to the family of a woman who died of mesothelioma. J&J has successfully appealed several of the cases.
In September, Reuters reported J&J planned to pay an additional $1.1 billion to resolve tens of thousands of claims its baby powder and other talc products caused cancer. The increase would boost the size of the settlement to more than $9 billion paid over 25 years.
The UK case has been lodged against J&J and consumer health spin-off Kenvue UK in London’s High Court by KP Law, a group action specialist that is also handling claims against M&S and Co-op over data leaked in cyberattacks, and the equal pay claim against Asda.
Kenvue said in a statement: “We sympathise deeply with people living with cancer. We understand that they and their families want answers – that’s why the facts are so important.”
It added: “The high-quality cosmetic grade talc that was used in [Johnson’s baby powder] was compliant with any required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”
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