Johnson & Johnson reaches $700 million talc settlement with U.S. states
Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $700 million to settle an investigation by 42 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., into its marketing of baby powder and other talc-based products blamed for allegedly causing cancer.
Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $700 million to settle an investigation by 42 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., into its marketing of baby powder and other talc-based products blamed for allegedly causing cancer.
The settlement resolves charges that Johnson & Johnson misled consumers into believing its talc products, which it sold for more than a century before stopping, were safe.
J&J did not admit wrongdoing in settling with the states, which were led by Florida, North Carolina and Texas, and has said its talc products are safe and do not cause cancer. The company announced a settlement in principle in January.
“This is a major advancement for consumer product safety,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a statement.
J&J still faces tens of thousands of talc lawsuits, and a class action accusing the New Brunswick, New Jersey-based company of fraudulently hiding their dangers from shareholders.
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