Archive · 21 Jan 2026
J&J Talc Products Cancer Link Allowed in Court
A special master in a court case has said that experts can tell a jury that Johnson & Johnson's talc products might cause ovarian cancer.
This is a big deal because thousands of women are suing the company, saying that using the baby powder and other talc products gave them cancer.
The company says its products are safe.
The judge will now decide whether to allow this expert testimony in the upcoming trial.
J&J has been fighting these claims for years and has even tried to settle the cases through bankruptcy, but that didn't work.
The company has already stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and switched to a cornstarch product.
A court-appointed special master recommended allowing expert testimony on the link between J&J talc products and ovarian cancer.
The recommendation allows the cases to move towards the first trial in federal court potentially later this year.
J&J disputes the link and has said its products are safe and do not cause cancer.
The company stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020 and switched to a cornstarch product.
J&J has been fighting claims over its talc products in both federal and state court for years, with some cases resulting in substantial verdicts.
- Who
- Thousands of women suing Johnson & Johnson, Johnson & Johnson
- What
- Court-appointed special master recommends allowing expert testimony on the link between J&J talc products and ovarian cancer
- When
- Recommendation made on Tuesday, potential trial later this year
- Where
- Federal court in New Jersey
- Why
- To determine if J&J talc products cause ovarian cancer
- Number of Lawsuits
- 67,500+
- Expert Testimony Allowed
- Link between talc products and ovarian cancer
- Expert Testimony Excluded
- Heavy metals, fragrance chemicals, talc migration to ovaries
- J&J's Stance
- Products are safe and do not cause cancer
- J&J's Action
- Stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020
- Recent Verdicts
- Up to $4.69 billion in some cases
- Bankruptcy Attempts
- Rejected three times by federal courts