COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a landmark settlement, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, alongside a coalition of 42 attorneys general, has reached a $700 million agreement with Johnson & Johnson concerning the company’s talcum powder products. Ohio’s share of the settlement amounts to $27.7 million.
Attorney General Yost emphasized the importance of transparency in consumer safety, condemning the sale of potentially harmful products without adequate risk disclosure. The settlement, sanctioned by a judge in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, resolves allegations that Johnson & Johnson deceived consumers about the safety of its talc-based powders.
In a significant move, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to cease all production, marketing, and distribution of talc-based baby and body powders in the United States. This decision follows a multi-state investigation launched in 2019 into the company’s practices, including whether it failed to disclose the presence of asbestos in its talc products and the associated cancer risks.
The scrutiny over Johnson & Johnson’s talc products, which have been on the market for over a century, intensified after the investigation began, leading to the cessation of sales in the U.S. and eventually worldwide. The case against Johnson & Johnson focused on allegations of deceptive marketing practices, while separate private lawsuits have addressed claims that talc exposure can cause mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and other severe health issues.
