Did Johnson & Johnson Hide Cancer Risks in Baby Powder?
By Rachel Dapeer · Published November 19, 2025 · Updated November 19, 2025
Quick Take
- Ex-FDA Commissioner David Kessler told a Los Angeles jury that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) documents show asbestos in talc dating to the 1970s.
- The testimony is part of the first bellwether trial in which two women allege the company’s talc caused their ovarian cancer.
- J&J disputes the allegations while facing more than 50,000 similar lawsuits nationwide.
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Key Facts From the Los Angeles Trial
- Venue: California state court, Los Angeles.
- Plaintiffs: Two women who regularly used Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower before their ovarian-cancer diagnoses.
- Purpose: A bellwether proceeding aimed at signaling how juries may assess evidence in other pending cases.
Testimony Highlights
David Kessler, FDA Commissioner (1990–1997):
- Said internal J&J records report asbestos fibers—such as chrysotile and tremolite—were detected in talc beginning in the 1970s.
- Asserted J&J challenged or sought to halt outside research when independent scientists reported asbestos findings.
- Alleged the company supplied “manipulated data” to the Food and Drug Administration, limiting regulators’ visibility into contamination concerns.
Broader Litigation Landscape
- More than 50,000 talc-related lawsuits are pending against J&J in U.S. courts, according to court filings.
- Separate Los Angeles jury awarded $966 million in a 2023 mesothelioma case involving talc.
- Federal judges have rejected three J&J efforts to move talc liabilities into bankruptcy protection.
Background on Talc and Asbestos
Talc is frequently mined near asbestos, creating potential for cross-contamination. Asbestos exposure is linked to cancers such as mesothelioma.
- Plaintiffs contend J&J’s talc contained asbestos and that the company failed to warn consumers.
- Claims cover ovarian cancer and mesothelioma allegedly tied to long-term product use.
J&J maintains that its talc is asbestos-free, safe, and not linked to cancer.
What’s Next
- The Los Angeles jury continues to hear expert witnesses and review company documents.
- The verdict could influence settlement discussions or trial strategies in other cases.
- Additional state and federal trials are scheduled through 2024 and 2025.
Official Sources
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