MONTGOMERY– Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and 42 state attorneys
general reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to
the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products that
contained talc. As part of the settlement, which is pending judicial approval, Alabama
will receive $13,458,975.
The consent judgment filed in the lawsuit addresses allegations that Johnson & Johnson
deceptively promoted and misled consumers in advertisements related to the safety and
purity of some of its talc powder products. As part of the lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson
has agreed to stop the manufacture and sale of its baby powder and body powder
products that contain talc in the United States.
“For generations, Johnson & Johnson advertised baby powder as a ‘clinically proven’
product for women and girls. Yet, since the 1980s this same company has known of
studies showing their talc powder products were tainted with carcinogenic asbestos,
increasing a user’s risk of ovarian cancer. Our large bipartisan coalition investigated
and took necessary action for knowingly exploiting and deceiving consumers,” said
Attorney General Marshall. “This settlement cannot reverse the harms experienced by
consumers, but it can ensure that no one else is exposed to these dangerous products in
the future.”
Johnson & Johnson sold such products for over a hundred years. After the coalition of
states began investigating, the company stopped distributing and selling these products
in the United States and more recently ended global sales. While this lawsuit targeted
the deceptive marketing of these products, numerous other lawsuits filed by private
plaintiffs in class actions raised allegations that talc causes serious health issues
including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.
Under the consent judgment, Johnson & Johnson:
• Has ceased and not resumed the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, sale, and
distribution of all baby and body powder products and cosmetic powder
products that contain talcum powder, including, but not limited to, Johnson’s
Baby Powder and Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower (“Covered Products”)
in the United States.
• Shall permanently stop the manufacture of any Covered Products in the United
States either directly, or indirectly through any third party.
• Shall permanently stop the marketing and promotion of any Covered Products
in the United States either directly, or indirectly through any third party.
• Shall permanently stop the sale or distribution any Covered Products in the
United States either directly, or indirectly through any third party.
The State’s share of the settlement will be paid by J&J in four annual installments,
beginning next month, to be used for consumer protection enforcement and education.
Texas, Florida, and North Carolina led the multistate settlement, with Alabama, Alaska,
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,
Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South
Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin joining.
To read the settlement, click here.
Media Release/Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshalls Office
