More than 3,000 Brits claim Johnson’s Baby Powder caused deadly ovarian cancer or mesothelioma. Now, a High Court battle is set to take on the pharma giant.
Johnson & Johnson Faces UK Court Showdown
Law firm KP Law has launched a huge lawsuit in London against Johnson & Johnson and its offshoot Kenvue UK, which split from J&J earlier this year. The claim? Selling asbestos-tainted talc products for nearly 60 years while keeping quiet.
Deadly Talc Scandal: Asbestos Hidden in Baby Powder
The legal papers allege that since the 1960s, J&J knew their talc contained deadly asbestos fibers like tremolite and actinolite – toxins linked to fatal cancers.
“Very few talc deposits used commercially don’t contain asbestos, and all the mines supplying the defendants did,” said Michael Rawlinson KC, barrister for the claimants.
He blasted J&J for “suppressing information,” lobbying regulators, and funding studies to downplay the deadly risk. “They put profits and their brand over public safety.”
Baby Powder Ban Sparks Legal Avalanche
Under mounting pressure, J&J withdrew talc-based baby powder from UK shelves in 2023. This High Court case follows a flood of US lawsuits accusing the company of similar deceit.
J&J and Kenvue Push Back
Kenvue fired back with a statement:
“We sympathise deeply with those affected by cancer. But the safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder is supported by years of independent testing. The cosmetic-grade talc met all regulatory standards, contained no asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”
