Johnson & Johnson to Pull Talc-Based Baby Powder from UK Shelves Next Year

In a notable move, Johnson & Johnson has announced that it will stop selling its talc-based baby powder in the UK starting next year. This decision comes on the heels of numerous legal complaints from women who claim that the product causes cancer. Talc, a mineral used in the baby powder, is often found near asbestos, a known carcinogen, during mining.

Johnson & Johnson has steadfastly denied these allegations, maintaining that "decades of independent research" affirm the product's safety. Despite this, the company will transition to a cornstarch-based baby powder, citing "commercial" reasons for the shift.

The healthcare giant had already ceased sales of its talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada two years ago. At that time, the company attributed the decline in sales to "misinformation" about the product's safety. The talc-based baby powder accounted for only about 0.5% of its US consumer health business when it was removed from the shelves.

"As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, we have made the commercial decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio," the company said in a statement. "As a result of this transition, talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder will be discontinued globally in 2023."

Johnson & Johnson emphasized their confidence in the safety of their talc-based product. "We stand firmly behind the decades of independent scientific analysis by medical experts around the world that confirms talc-based Johnson's baby powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer." The company also reassured its customers, stating, “We remain fully committed to ensuring Johnson's products are loved by parents and families for years to come.”

Cornstarch-based baby powder from Johnson & Johnson is already available in various countries around the world.

In a bid to manage the numerous talc-related claims, Johnson & Johnson created a subsidiary, LTL Management, in October last year. This subsidiary was later placed into bankruptcy, effectively pausing the pending lawsuits. Prior to the bankruptcy, the company faced costs amounting to $3.5 billion (£2.87 billion) in verdicts and settlements, including a significant case where 22 women were awarded a judgment of more than $2 billion.

In April, a shareholder proposal aimed at ending global sales of the talc-based baby powder was unsuccessful. Johnson & Johnson's baby powder has been a household staple since it was first introduced in 1984.

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