More than 3,000 people allege they or a family member developed forms of ovarian cancer or mesothelioma from using Johnson’s baby powder between 1965 and 2023.
A lawsuit has been filed by KP Law at the High Court in London seeking damages against the pharmaceutical giant.
This also encompasses Kenvue UK, which was split from J&J in 2023 and now operates as a separate business.
The lawsuit alleges that J&J was aware as early as the 1960s that its mineral-based talcum powder contained fibrous forms of talc, as well as tremolite and actinolite.
Both minerals, when in their fibrous form, are classified as asbestos and linked to potentially deadly cancers.
Michael Rawlinson KC, for the group of people bringing the claim, said in court documents that “there exist very few, if any, commercially exploited talc deposits in the world which do not contain asbestos and that all of the mines supplying the defendants contained asbestos”.
He also said that reports from such mines, as well as its own research alongside existing scientific literature, would have informed J&J about asbestos contamination.
Despite this, the company “suppressed information that might indicate that baby powder was contaminated with asbestos”, the barrister added.
He also said J&J “lobbied regulators” to enable the continued sale of its product and sponsored studies in an effort to “downplay the dangers” to human health.
J&J therefore “acted in bad faith, to protect the reputation and profit-making potential of baby powder and the goodwill attached to their name”, Mr Rawlinson said.
The sale of baby powder containing talc stopped in the UK in 2023.
The UK action mirrors extensive litigation in the US, where multiple lawsuits have been filed.
How have Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue responded?
A Kenvue spokesperson said: “We sympathise deeply with people living with cancer.
“We understand that they and their families want answers – that’s why the facts are so important.
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“The safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder is backed by years of testing by independent and leading laboratories, universities and health authorities in the UK and around the world.
“The high-quality cosmetic grade talc that was used in Johnson’s Baby Powder was compliant with any required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”
A separate request for comment has been made by Newsquest directly to J&J.
