Johnson & Johnson to end global sales of talc-based baby powder

Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder : It is a product and brand most associate with babies, the Johnson & Johnson baby talcum power, but it will soon be taken off the shelves globally as the company faces a legal battle amid cancer concerns from users.

The company faces about 38,000 lawsuits from consumers and their survivors claiming its talc products caused cancer due to contamination with asbestos, a known carcinogen. J&J though denies the allegations, saying decades of scientific testing and regulatory approvals have shown its talc to be safe and asbestos-free had stopped selling the product in the United States and Canada in 2020 itself.

The health conglomerate also announced that going forward a 'commercial decision' was made to use cornstarch instead of talcum powder.

Talcum powder has long been used in baby products because the mineral keeps skin dry and prevents diaper rash. The mines that produce the powder, however, can also yield asbestos, a mineral once used in products such as building insulation that researchers have linked to cancers.

In one talc case, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $4.69 billion to 22 plaintiffs in one of the largest personal injury verdicts ever.