Thousands to sue over talc asbestos allegations

THOUSANDS of people are taking legal action against pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, claiming it knowingly sold asbestos-contaminated talcum powder in the UK.

- DANNY HALPIN Press Association reporter

As many as 3,000 people allege that either they or a family member developed forms of ovarian cancer or mesothelioma from using Johnson's Baby Powder, and are seeking damages at the High Court in London.

Lawyers for the group said in court documents - filed yesterday by KP Law - that Johnson & Johnson (J&J), along with current and former subsidiaries Johnson & Johnson Management and Kenvue UK, should all be held liable.

They said J&J “concealed” the risk to the public for decades, having now replaced talc with corn starch in its baby powder in the UK since 2023.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined from the earth.

Michael Rawlinson KC, for the group of people bringing the claim, said in court documents that “there exist very few, if any, commercially exploited talc deposits in the world which do not contain asbestos and that all of the mines supplying the defendants contained asbestos”.