Powder problem

Arguably one of the largest consumer health companies out there, Johnson & Johnson has recently been faced with major lawsuits relating to some of their popular products. Women have stepped forward alleging that the ingredient talc found in some of J&J’s powders was a probable cause of their ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay up a total of $127 million dollars. The company has since filed to appeal the two recent verdicts.

The suits state that there may be a correlation between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, and that J&J knowingly failed to warn women of this risk. The two plaintiffs of the recent lawsuits are Gloria Ristesund and Jacqueline Fox. Ristesund, who alleged to have used Johnson & Johnson’s powder and Shower-to-Shower products for decades, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2011. She was granted $55 million in the recent lawsuit. Jacqueline Fox’s family was awarded $72 million this past February. Fox was an Alabama native who lost her battle to ovarian cancer, and was said to also have used the products.

Johnson & Johnson commented on the situation, stating “Unfortunately, the jury’s decision goes against 30 years of studies by medical experts around the world that continue to support the safety of cosmetic talc”. “Multiple scientific and regulatory reviews have determined that talc is safe for use in cosmetic products and the labeling on Johnson’s Baby Powder is appropriate”. Reports claim that J&J is up against one thousand plus cancer related lawsuits for their talc consisting products.