Talc based baby powder
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced recently that it would halt the production of talc-based powder in the United States and Canada. Perhaps J&J’s signature product, the company ceased shipping of hundreds of items throughout the U.S. and Canada, with talcum powder listed as one of the items no longer shipped. Nowthisisnews.com reported that J&J said it was prioritizing other products that are in higher demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, reducing the products the company offers will enable it to follow social distancing guidelines in its manufacturing plants because of the coronavirus pandemic. J&J has been defending numerous lawsuits alleging that the brand’s talcum powder can cause cancer.
The coincidence is hard to ignore. Although J&J said that it was shutting down its production of items like baby powder made with talc in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company was bombarded with legal action. To date, almost 20,000 lawsuits are now pending against J&J in the U.S. and Canada, claiming that the talc used in making the powder contained carcinogenic properties that eventually led to cancer. Additionally, J&J said it would continue to ship talc-based powder all around the world, with the exception of North America. J&J will sell powder with a cornstarch base in North America instead.
Talc is a natural substance that is easily mined. Companies like J&J have been using it for a long time because of its moisture-wicking properties. However, talc is mined near asbestos. Experts say that a substantial amount of talcum powder contains asbestos, which is a known carcinogen widely responsible for numerous cancers and other diseases.
At least two of the talcum powder lawsuits have gone to trial. Twenty-two plaintiffs in one lawsuit won a $4.69 billion judgment that J&J appealed. J&J also won a defense verdict in 2019 as well. Despite that victory, the company recalled around 33,000 units of baby powder that contained talc when the FDA found asbestos in one sample.
Were you or a loved one harmed by talcum powder products?
Click To Get A Free Case Review
