Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $8.9 billion over 25 years to settle lawsuits from tens of thousands of people who claim that its talc products, including baby powder, cause cancer. Despite these assurances, the pharmaceutical giant remains defiant and continues to request renewed protection from creditors for its talc-producing subsidiary.

In 2020, Johnson & Johnson removed its baby talc powder from sale in both the US and Canada after it was identified to contain fibers similar to asbestos. As a result, numerous lawsuits have been filed against them by women claiming they developed ovarian cancer due to using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder. To date, these companies have paid out billions of dollars in compensation to plaintiffs worldwide; including $2.5 billion awarded to 20 women in a case that went before the Supreme Court, along with $4.9 billion for 22 women who died of cancer in Missouri.

Johnson & Johnson also revealed that LTL management, its talc-producing subsidiary, had filed for creditor protection. Last year a judge had approved bankruptcy proceedings for the subsidiary but an appeals court overturned this ruling in January, ruling neither Johnson & Johnson nor LTL management were in financial distress. Eric Haas, global vice president of litigation at Johnson & Johnson said the proposed restructuring plan would provide more equitable and efficient resolution to the issue and enable plaintiffs to receive compensation while freeing the company to focus on improving human health. Johnson & Johnson continue to deny there is any scientific basis to link its products to cancer claims made against them.

Talc is a soft mineral mined in several countries and used in various industries. Though it has natural properties that make it suitable for treating skin rashes and hygiene-related problems, talc deposits may contain asbestos which causes cancer when its fibers enter the body. Johnson & Johnson maintains their baby powder is safe, only withdrawing it due to misinformation leading to an abrupt drop in sales.