Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and its former consumer health arm, Kenvue, are facing their first lawsuit in the UK over allegations that the companies’ talcum powder products caused cancer.
The case, filed with the UK’s High Court by law firm KP Law, represents more than 3,000 claimants and is estimated to exceed £1 billion in value. The claim covers the period from 1965 to 2023 and alleges that J&J knowingly sold talc products containing carcinogenic fibres, including asbestos, prioritizing profit over consumer safety.
“For decades, Johnson & Johnson have orchestrated a campaign of denials and subterfuge,” said Tom Longstaff, Partner at KP Law and lead on the case. “The facts are clear—contaminated talc contains carcinogenic material, and Johnson & Johnson knew the risk to consumers. The scale of Johnson & Johnson’s corporate wrongdoing is extraordinary, and we will be relentless in holding them to account on behalf of all those who have suffered due to their actions.”
In response, J&J reiterated that its baby powder “was compliant with any required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer,” according to a BBC report. A company spokesperson also told Cosmetics Business that the inquiry should be directed to Kenvue, which separated from J&J in August 2023 and has indemnified it for all talc-related litigation outside the US and Canada.
The UK filing marks the first international lawsuit for the consumer health care giant, which continues to battle more than 62,000 similar claims in the US. The company ended global sales of its talc-based baby powder in August 2022, transitioning to an all-cornstarch formulation after a century-long run of the original product.
Earlier this year, a US judge rejected J&J’s third attempt to settle its ongoing talc litigation through a US$10 billion bankruptcy plan, prolonging one of the largest product liability scandals in the company’s history.
