Johnson & Johnson announced their decision to discontinue their talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada due to the fall in demand from mounting lawsuits of their baby powder causing cancer. On Tuesday May 19, the pharmaceutical and consumer goods giant announced that sales J&J baby powder have fallen due to allegations of the product causing ovarian cancer or mesothelioma from asbestos contamination in the powder. According to the company, their baby powder makes up about 0.5% of the total U.S. Consumer Health business.

“Demand for talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder in North America has been declining due in large part to changes in consumer habits and fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising,” the company stated in their announcement.

Johnson & Johnson, which manufactures everything from Benadryl to Clean & Clear skin products, denies the cancer claims, which now reaches up to nearly 20,000 across the United States. Consumers of J&J’s baby powder claim that talc in their talcum powder caused severe side effects that were not warned about on the product’s safety label. Thousands of baby powder lawsuits across the country claim that long-term exposure to J&J’s talc-based powder caused injuries including ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and mesothelioma from asbestos in the talc.

Despite the allegations, Johnson & Johnson still maintains the safety of their products.

“Johnson & Johnson remains steadfastly confident in the safety of talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder,” the company stated in their press release. “Decades of scientific studies by medical experts around the world support the safety of our product. We will continue to vigorously defend the product, its safety, and the unfounded allegations against it and the Company in the courtroom.”

While J&J asserts that every verdict against the company that has been through the appeals process has been overturned, millions of dollars have been awarded to individuals across the country who claimed their ovarian cancer or mesothelioma diagnoses were caused by exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. In February 2016, a jury awarded $72 million dollars to the family who alleged their mother’s death was caused by ovarian cancer linked to J&J talcum powder use.

Did You Develop Cancer after Long-Term Exposure to Talcum Powder?

If you developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after long-term use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder, talking to product liability lawyer is crucial. When going up against a powerful company like J&J, you need legal experience on your side to ensure you have your best chance at securing compensation for your injuries.

At AVA Law Group, our experienced product liability attorneys know how to handle your case with the care it deserves, and we fight aggressively for your right to financial compensation. To see if you may qualify to file a talcum powder lawsuit for your injuries, contact us today; we offer free, no-obligation case evaluations.