Do you know? Johnson & Johnson (J&J), a company trusted for generations, has faced big controversy over its talc-based baby powder. Reports show that since the 1950s, the company knew its talc could sometimes contain asbestos, which is harmful and can cause cancer. Still, the product was sold for many years without any warning.
Later, thousands of people went to court, saying long use of this powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. In 2018, a U.S. court gave a huge verdict of ₹38,000 crore ($4.69 billion) to 22 women, one of the biggest in history. To escape such cases, J&J even tried a bankruptcy trick, but the courts stopped it.
Because of falling trust, J&J stopped selling talc powder in North America in 2020. By 2022, it replaced the product worldwide with a corn-starch version. Still, new cases are coming up, including more than 3,500 people in the UK who are now suing in 2025.
This case teaches us that even big brands must be transparent and put consumer safety first. Do you use it ,What are your thoughts on this?
This case shows how important it is to have strict rules and checks on products. That is why it is also important to for companies to have transparency and testing of products should be mandatory, specially for children.
This case really shows how safety in everyday products can’t be taken for granted. Johnson & Johnson faced thousands of lawsuits linking their talc-based baby powder to cancers like ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. The main concern was possible asbestos contamination in talc, which they reportedly knew about but didn’t disclose for years.
Majority of the products sold in the market cannot be blindly trusted. It is very important to do our own research on the company and product before using it. There is much need to implement stringent regulations.
It’s shocking to know that during my childhood, many mothers, including my mom, used Johnson & Johnson baby powder. Now, I’m shocked by the controversy surrounding it.
