Thousands in UK Sue Johnson & Johnson, Alleging Baby Powder Linked to Cancer

Over 3,000 UK Residents File Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson Over Baby Powder Cancer Risk.

More than 3,000 people in the UK have filed a legal claim against Johnson & Johnson (J&J), alleging that the company sold baby talcum powder contaminated with asbestos, a mineral linked to deadly cancers. The case, filed in the High Court in London by KP Law, targets J&J and its subsidiary Kenvue Ltd, AFP reported.

Allegations in the Lawsuit

The claim states that J&J was aware as early as the 1960s that its talcum powder contained fibrous forms of talc, tremolite, and actinolite, which are classified as asbestos. The lawsuit covers the period 1965–2023, asserting that the company knowingly sold products containing carcinogenic fibers for over 50 years before finally withdrawing mineral talc from the UK market in 2023—three years after North America removed it.

The lawsuit further alleges that complainants or their family members developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after using J&J Baby Powder. It demands that all J&J subsidiaries be held legally responsible, estimating claims to exceed £1 billion ($1.3 billion).

Johnson & Johnson’s Response

J&J has directed inquiries to Kenvue, which took over responsibility for talc-related litigation outside North America following its separation from the parent company in August 2023.

A Kenvue spokesperson defended the product, stating that its cosmetic-grade talc was tested by independent labs, universities, and health authorities worldwide, complied with regulations, and does not contain asbestos or cause cancer.

Global Context

J&J has faced similar legal battles in North America. In April 2025, a US court rejected an $8 billion settlement offer covering roughly 90,000 civil claims related to ovarian cancer.

In July 2024, the World Health Organization’s cancer agency classified J&J talcum powder as “probably carcinogenic” to humans. The UK lawsuit marks a significant step in ongoing global legal challenges against J&J over the safety of its talc-based products.