Following years of concerns about a connection between talcum powder and devastating side effects like mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, which has led to tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers about the health risks associated with its talc-based powders, an activist investment group is finally calling for a global recall of J&J’s talcum powder products. In May 2020, J&J announced that it would discontinue the sale of its talc-based powders in North America, but the products remain on shelves in other parts of the world. A global talcum powder recall would remove potentially dangerous talc-based products from stores worldwide. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, or another potentially life-threatening health problem allegedly caused by exposure to toxic talcum powder, contact Consumer Safety Watch today to find out if you are eligible to file a talcum powder cancer lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson.
Once a staple in American households, Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based Baby Powder (talcum powder) has been shown to contain traces of asbestos, a cancer-causing mineral that occurs in close proximity to talc in the earth. According to the FDA, “asbestos is a known human carcinogen, and its health risks are well-documented.” Despite the fact that asbestos has no safe exposure level and traces of the carcinogen have been found in J&J’s talcum powder, the company claims that its talcum powder is “safe” and “asbestos-free,” and continues to sell it in other parts of the world, even after issuing a recall and discontinuing its sale in North America. In an effort to hold J&J accountable and protect consumers from this potentially dangerous product, London-based activist investment group Tulipshare submitted a proposal earlier this month demanding that the company halt global sales of its talc-based powder. “Shockingly, Johnson & Johnson continues to say that their product is ‘safe’ even though long-term use of talcum powder has been linked to multiple cancers including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma,” the proposal states.
More than 30,000 lawsuits have been filed against J&J by former talcum powder users and others who say that the company failed to ensure that its talc-based powders were safe and free of toxic asbestos. When talc is mined for use in talcum powder and other products, it can easily become contaminated with asbestos, and this poses a serious health risk for consumers who may unknowingly inhale or ingest asbestos dust or fibers while using these seemingly safe products. Even more worrisome, evidence suggests that J&J knew that its talcum powder products sometimes contained asbestos, yet the company kept this information from the public and continued marketing the products as safe for everyday use. In June 2021, J&J was ordered to pay $2.1 billion in damages to more than 20 women who claimed that the company’s talc-based powder caused them to develop ovarian cancer. The landmark verdict was left intact when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear J&J’s objections to the 2018 ruling.
It was shortly after Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder was recalled for testing positive for asbestos that the company discontinued the sale of its talc-based Baby Powder in the U.S. and Canada, citing “changes in consumer habits” and declining sales “fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising.” However, the company continued selling its talcum powder “in other markets around the world where there is significantly higher consumer demand for the product.” The Tulipshare proposal seeks to initiate a talcum powder recall on a global scale by pushing for a shareholder vote on the issue. J&J responded to the proposal by calling on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to stop Tulipshare from presenting the issue to shareholders at J&J’s annual general meeting in April, claiming that it would affect pending lawsuits alleging that talc causes cancer.
The purpose of the Tulipshare proposal and the tens of thousands of product liability lawsuits Johnson & Johnson currently faces is to hold the company accountable for its actions and put an end to the sale of this potentially dangerous product that many consumers don’t realize may cause cancer. If you or someone you love used J&J’s talcum powder and has since suffered from mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, or another serious side effect, contact us today to find out how we can help. You may be eligible to file a talcum powder cancer lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson in order to pursue the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses, and other losses.
