Over 3,000 Brits claim Johnson’s Baby Powder gave them or their loved ones deadly ovarian cancer or mesothelioma. Now, a High Court showdown is set to take on the pharma giant.
Johnson & Johnson Under Fire in UK Court
Law firm KP Law launched the massive lawsuit in London, going after Johnson & Johnson and its offshoot, Kenvue UK, which split from J&J earlier this year. The claim? Selling asbestos-tainted talc products for nearly six decades while keeping silent.
Talc Powder Scandal: Asbestos Hidden in Baby Powder
The legal papers allege J&J knew since the 1960s their talc contained deadly asbestos fibers like tremolite and actinolite. These toxins are 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 added J&J “suppressed information,” lobbied regulators, and funded studies to downplay the deadly risk. “They put profits and their brand over public safety,” Rawlinson blasted.
Baby Powder Ban and Legal Avalanche
Under pressure, J&J pulled talc-based baby powder from UK shelves in 2023. This High Court case follows a wave of US lawsuits already hammering the company with similar accusations.
J&J and Kenvue Fight Back
Kenvue hit back, insisting:
“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.”
