A major UK legal case has been filed against Johnson & Johnson, involving 3,000 claimants who allege the company concealed asbestos contamination in its baby powder since the 1960s, which is linked to cancers such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

The lawsuit is based on internal documents and scientific reports indicating J&J knew its talc contained asbestos fibers but did not warn consumers, instead marketing the product as safe and pure.

Claimants, including individuals like Janet Fuschillo and Patricia Angell, share personal stories of long-term use of J&J’s talc products and subsequent cancer diagnoses, with some autopsies revealing asbestos presence and inhalation exposure.

Sales of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder in the UK were discontinued in 2023 after being available there longer than in the US, where it was stopped in 2020, with the UK case marking the first collective legal action against J&J in Britain.

The UK lawsuit mirrors extensive US litigation where claimants have won billions in damages, and potential damages in the UK could reach hundreds of millions of pounds.

The World Health Organization classifies talc as 'probably carcinogenic' to humans, although a 2020 US study involving 250,000 women found no statistical link between genital talc use and ovarian cancer.

US courts have rejected J&J’s attempts to settle approximately 90,000 claims for around $8 billion without admitting liability, with recent verdicts including a $966 million award for a woman’s death from talc-related cancer.

In the US, J&J was ordered to pay $25 million in a case where internal testimony revealed the company ignored asbestos test results, highlighting ongoing concerns over unsafe practices and transparency.

J&J and its spinoff Kenvue deny allegations, asserting their talc products complied with safety standards and contained no asbestos, citing independent testing and regulatory compliance.

Medical experts confirm that mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos exposure, which can occur through inhalation during talc use, especially as airborne asbestos fibers can be inhaled when talc is applied.

The UK legal case is estimated to be worth around 1 billion pounds ($1.34 billion), with proceedings focusing on damages for losses caused by J&J’s alleged concealment of risks.

Previous US verdicts include a $4.69 billion award to women claiming ovarian cancer from Johnson’s Baby Powder, emphasizing ongoing legal and health concerns surrounding talc products.