J&J Reaches Tentative $700M Settlement Over Talc-Based Baby Powder Claims

The healthcare giant continues to deny allegations that its product caused cancer and contained asbestos, as it faces over 50,000 related cases.

Johnson & Johnson has reached a tentative agreement with more than 40 US states to resolve claims related to its talc-based baby powder, with the healthcare giant expected to pay $700 million.
The settlement is part of a larger effort by the company to resolve over 50,000 cases from people who claim using its talc-based baby powder caused cancer, including some who allege the product contained cancer-causing asbestos.
Despite the settlement, J&J continues to maintain that its talc-based products did not cause cancer and did not contain asbestos.
The company has tried twice to resolve the cases by placing its talc liabilities into bankruptcy, but both attempts were rebuffed by courts.
J&J stopped selling its talc-based baby powder in the US in 2020, citing 'misinformation' that had sapped demand for the product.