Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with 42 other attorneys general, has reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products containing talc.
The consent judgment filed in this lawsuit addresses claims that Johnson & Johnson deceptively promoted and misled consumers regarding the safety and purity of some of its talc powder products. As part of the agreement, Johnson & Johnson will cease the manufacture and sale of its talc-containing baby powder and body powder products in the United States.
“Product safety should be a top priority for every company in every sector, but especially an historic, trusted brand selling baby care products,” said Nessel. “Misleading Michigan consumers will not be tolerated, no matter how large or well-known the corporate perpetrator. We will stand up for consumer safety in our state, and I’m appreciative for our many bipartisan partners on this litigation throughout the country.”
Johnson & Johnson had sold these products for over 100 years. Following investigations by a coalition of states, the company halted distribution and sales within the United States and recently ended global sales. While this lawsuit focused on deceptive marketing practices, numerous other lawsuits filed by private plaintiffs have alleged that talc causes serious health issues including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.
Under the consent judgment, Johnson & Johnson:
- Has ceased and will not resume manufacturing, marketing, promoting, selling, or distributing all baby and body powder products containing talcum powder in the United States.
- Shall permanently stop manufacturing any such products either directly or indirectly through third parties.
- Shall permanently stop marketing and promoting any such products either directly or indirectly through third parties.
- Shall permanently stop selling or distributing any such products either directly or indirectly through third parties.
As part of the settlement, Michigan will receive $20,615,040.58. This settlement is pending judicial approval.
The multistate settlement includes attorneys general from Texas, Florida, North Carolina as well as Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware; District of Columbia; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; 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 Wisconsin.
###