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Johnson & Johnson has reached an agreement with 42 states to pay $700 million to settle an investigation into its marketing of talc-based products, including baby powder, which have been blamed for causing cancer.
The Settlement addresses accusations that Johnson & Johnson misled consumers about the safety of its talc products, which the company sold for over a century before ending distribution. Despite the Settlement, Johnson & Johnson did not admit any wrongdoing and has consistently maintained that its talc products are safe and do not cause cancer.
The investigation, led by attorneys general from Illinois, Florida, and Texas, prompted Johnson & Johnson to halt the sale of talc-based baby powder and body powder. The lawsuits have accused Johnson & Johnson of misleading consumers about the safety and purity of its talcum powder products. The company has since switched to corn starch as the main ingredient in its baby powder and maintains that its products do not contain asbestos.
Despite the recent Settlement, Johnson & Johnson continues to face thousands of lawsuits related to its talc products, with over 60,000 people still pursuing claims.
In addition to the state settlement, Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary proposed a $6.48 billion settlement in May to address broader allegations that its talc products caused ovarian cancer. These lawsuits claim that the company’s talcum powder, used for feminine hygiene, led to ovarian cancer or mesothelioma, a cancer affecting the lungs and other organs.