Johnson & Johnson to Pull Talc Baby Powder from Global Shelves
What’s Going on?
- Global Switch – Starting in 2023, J&J will stop selling talc‑based baby powder everywhere.
- They’re going full‑on to a cornstarch‑based lineup that’s already out in many countries.
- The move comes after a multi‑year legal showdown that saw the company end U.S. sales in 2020.
Why the Change?
- Demand for talc powder has plummeted because of swirling “misinformation” about safety.
- Johnson & Johnson faces roughly 38,000 lawsuits claiming their talc caused cancer via asbestos contamination.
- Despite the lawsuits, the company insists that decades of science and regulation prove their talc is safe and asbestos‑free.
Legal Shuffling & Bankruptcy Madness
- In October, they spun off a subsidiary, LTL Management, handed over the talc claims, and pushed it into bankruptcy.
- This move temporarily paused the lawsuits, letting J&J and LTL handle the claims separately.
- Critics argue the company should fight the suits; proponents say it’s a fair compromise for claimants.
What You Should Know
So if you’re looking for that familiar powdery feel for your little ones, you’ll now have to opt for the cornstarch version—at least for the time being. J&J says it’s all part of a larger health strategy, but for many, it’s a hard pill to swallow.
<img alt="" data-caption="The logo of healthcare company Johnson & Johnson is seen in front of an office building in Zug, Switzerland, on Dec 1, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”de91359e-baad-4443-9f9a-64e7e0812a05″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/FYWGPKWMMFMQZB47ZDDMH3RMVU.jpeg”/>
Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder Saga: Still a Whirlwind
Picture this: a longstanding family favourite, a decade‑long secret, and a courtroom drama that’s been put on ice. That’s the cocktail Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has found itself in when it comes to its talc baby powder.
Whiting Speaks: “We’re Waiting on the Judge
Ben Whiting, the defense attorney fighting the lawsuits, says the pause from bankruptcy keeps the decision‑maker’s hands off the sales button for now. “Because the lawsuits are paused, the sale decision won’t hit us immediately,” he explained. But he warns that a federal appellate court might let the cases move forward, and if that happens, consumers could ditch the products en masse, using J&J’s own legal jargon as ammunition.
“If these cases were to go again, then it’s a very big deal,” Whiting underlined.
Bankruptcy – A Moment’s Cooling
For a moment, the door is slightly ajar. The company’s sales cut may not be the headline, but the legal storm isn’t shaded by it.
A $3.5 Billion Bounty (S$4.8 Billion)
Before filing for bankruptcy, J&J was hit with a mountain of verdicts: a total of $3.5 billion (S$4.8 billion). One particular case loomed large – 22 women received a staggering $2 billion+ judgment. Bankruptcy court records paint a picture that booked these as “serious” damages.
Shareholder’s Dream (Failed)
A shareholder proposal that called for a global halt to talc baby powder sales was turned down in April – a reminder that even gone‑green ideas can stumble.
“We Knew It for Decades” – 2018 Investigation
In 2018, Reuters dug up a 20‑year‑old truth: J&J was aware, “for decades, that asbestos – a cancer catalyst – seeped into its talc products.”
- From at least 1971 to the early 2000s, internal records and testimony showed talc raw material and finished powders sometimes tested positive for small asbestos traces.
- Despite the evidence, J&J stood firm, claiming “our talc products are safe and don’t cause cancer.”
The Baby Powder Legacy
Since 1894, Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder has been a symbol of “family‑friendly” comfort. An internal 1999 marketing deck nicknamed the baby products division – with Baby Powder at its core – as J&J’s “#1 Asset.” Yet, by the time the company pulled it off shelves, the baby powder counted only about 0.5 % of its US consumer health business.
Wrapping Up – An Ongoing Whirlwind
In short, this story is a mix of legal pausing, massive damages, a stand‑still proposal, and a historical lack of transparency. It’s a reminder that even the most beloved household names can be shaken by past omissions… and that the courtroom may still be up next for anything that can be sold. You’re probably not buying more baby powder. No? Good. If you’re curious, keep watching. The drama is still about to unfold.
