Johnson & Johnson’s latest attempt to settle tens of thousands of talc-related lawsuits has been thwarted by a U.S. bankruptcy judge. The proposed $10 billion deal aimed to resolve ongoing claims that the company’s widely recognized baby powder and other talc-based products contained asbestos, which allegedly caused ovarian cancer.
This marks the third time J&J has attempted to use bankruptcy proceedings to manage its talc-related liabilities, only to see its efforts rejected. Over 60,000 claimants accuse J&J of causing ovarian cancer with its talc products, despite the company’s repeated assertions that its formulations are safe. Critics argue that J&J is not facing financial distress, questioning the legitimacy of using bankruptcy to handle the lawsuits.
While J&J plans to continue litigating in regular courts, it has ceased selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. since 2020. The ongoing legal battles have eroded consumer trust in talc-based personal care products, with growing concerns over safety taking center stage in an era increasingly focused on product transparency.
J&J’s repeated failures in court highlight how critical health and safety concerns have become to brand reputation in the cosmetics and personal care industries.
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