Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and its consumer health care offshoot Kenvue have been hit with the first lawsuit from the UK over allegations that its talcum powder products caused cancer.
The case has been brought by UK law firm KP Law on behalf of more than 3,000 individuals and filed with the UK’s High Court.
The value of the claim, although not final, is estimated to be more than £1bn.
The claim, which covers the period from 1965 to 2023, details how J&J was allegedly aware its talc products contained carcinogenic fibres, including asbestos, but chose to keep them on the market in the “pursuit of profit”.
“For decades, Johnson & Johnson have orchestrated a campaign of denials and subterfuge,” said Tom Longstaff, Partner at KP Law, who is also the claimants’ lead.
“The facts are clear, contaminated talc contains carcinogenic material, and Johnson & Johnson knew the risk to consumers.
“The scale of Johnson & Johnson’s corporate wrongdoing is extraordinary, and we will be relentless in holding them to account on behalf of all those who have suffered due to their actions.”
J&J said its baby powder "was compliant with any required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer", according to a report by the BBC.
“We believe your inquiry would be best addressed by Kenvue, our former consumer health business, which separated from Johnson & Johnson in August 2023," a J&J spokesperson told Cosmetics Business.
"As a part of that separation, Kenvue has indemnified Johnson & Johnson for all talc related litigation outside of the United States and Canada.”
The litigation marks the consumer health care giant’s first lawsuit outside the US, with the multibillion-dollar corporation still grappling with lawsuits from more than 62,000 claimants alleging its talc products caused cancer.
In August 2022, J&J decided to end all global sales of its talc-based baby powder, marking the end of a 100-year era for its signature product.
The personal care goliath transitioned to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio instead, following an assessment of its worldwide product range.
In January 2025, a US judge rejected J&J’s third attempt to quash the ongoing talc scandal via a US$10bn settlement.
The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas denied the request by J&J to confirm its proposed prepackaged bankruptcy plan.
Cosmetics Business has contacted J&J for a comment.
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