- A bipartisan coalition of 43 AGs has entered into a Final Judgment and Consent Decree with Johnson & Johnson to resolve alleged violations of consumer protection laws related to its marketing of talc-based baby powder, which the AGs asserted contained asbestos about which the company failed to disclose associated cancer risks to consumers.
- Pursuant to the settlement, which must be approved by the court, Johnson & Johnson will pay designated amounts to each of the participating states and the District of Columbia totaling $700 million. The company also will be subject to compliance provisions associated with its affirmations that it has ceased and will continue to refrain from any manufacturing, marketing, promotion, sale, and distribution of its products containing talcum powder in the United States, among other terms. Under the settlement, Johnson & Johnson neither admits nor denies wrongdoing related to its marketing and sale of talc-based products.
- Other lawsuits against the company remain pending, including those filed by private plaintiffs in class actions raising allegations that the talc-based products cause serious health issues including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.