Attorney General Kris Mayes, along with attorneys general from 42 other states, has reached a landmark $700 million nationwide settlement with Johnson & Johnson. The settlement addresses allegations related to the marketing of the company’s talc-based baby powder and body powder products.
“Today’s settlement is a significant victory for Arizonans and consumers nationwide,” said Attorney General Mayes. “For decades, Johnson & Johnson misled the public about the safety of its talc products. By stopping the manufacture and sale of these harmful products and imposing these penalties, we are protecting the health and well-being of countless individuals and ensuring accountability on behalf of consumers.”
The consent judgment filed in this lawsuit addresses allegations that Johnson & Johnson deceptively promoted and misled consumers in advertisements about the safety and purity of its talc powder products. As part of the lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to stop the manufacture and sale of its baby powder and body powder products containing talc in the United States.
Johnson & Johnson had sold these products for over a hundred years. Following investigations by the coalition of states, the company ceased distribution and sales in the United States and recently ended global sales. While this lawsuit focused on deceptive marketing, numerous other lawsuits by private plaintiffs in class actions have raised allegations that talc causes serious health issues, including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.
Under the consent judgment, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to:
- Cease and not resume the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, sale, and distribution of all baby and body powder products and cosmetic powder products containing talcum powder in the United States.
- Permanently stop the manufacture, marketing, promotion, sale, or distribution of any such products in the United States either directly or through third parties.
As part of this settlement, Arizona will receive $15,466,308. The settlement is pending judicial approval.
The multistate settlement was led by Arizona, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina, with participation from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, 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, and Wisconsin.
Judgment: https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/Arizona%20JJ%20FINAL%20consent%20judg%206.11.24.pdf
Complaint: https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/Arizona%20J%26J%20FINAL%20complaint.pdf
