Over 3,000 people across the UK have joined a major legal case against Johnson & Johnson, claiming the company's baby powder contained dangerous asbestos for decades.
The joint lawsuit, filed in the High Court, could be worth more than £1 billion and is being described as one of the largest product liability cases in British history.
Claimants say they developed serious illnesses — including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma — after long-term use of the talcum-based powder.
Lawyers allege that J&J knew about the contamination since the 1960s but failed to warn the public.
"For decades, Johnson & Johnson orchestrated a campaign of denials and subterfuge," said Tom Longstaff, lead lawyer from KP Law, the firm handling the case.
"The facts are clear. Contaminated talc contains carcinogenic material, and Johnson & Johnson knew the risk to consumers."
Court documents show the lawsuit covers product sales between 1965 and 2023.
During this time, J&J continued marketing its baby powder as safe and gentle, despite internal memos allegedly showing awareness of asbestos-related risks.
In a statement, J&J said legal questions about talc-related claims outside the US and Canada should be directed to Kenvue Ltd, the company it spun off in 2023, CBS News reported.
Kenvue now holds responsibility for J&J's former consumer health products in those regions.
Johnson & Johnson faces its first UK lawsuits, with KP Law filing the case on behalf of more than 3,000 people who allege their ovarian cancer, mesothelioma or other diseases were caused by use of J&J's baby powder between 1965 and 2023 https://t.co/Fzt9AtpPms pic.twitter.com/mbDjdtcVho
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 16, 2025
Memos Link J&J to Asbestos Warnings Since '69
According to BBC, Kenvue responded, "We sympathise deeply with people living with cancer. We understand they and their families want answers — that's why the facts are so important."
The company added that independent labs and global health agencies had tested the powder and found it safe, saying, "J&J's baby powder was compliant with required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer."
But for people like Siobhan Ryan, the damage is already done.
The 63-year-old mother from Somerset used J&J's baby powder for decades — on herself and her children — believing it was safe. She was later diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer.
Ryan explained that she had used the same method her mother once did, believing it was the best way to care for her babies.
"They knew it was contaminated, and still they sold it to new mums and their babies."
Internal documents cited in the claim suggest J&J considered asbestos a concern as far back as 1969.
A memo from 1973 allegedly admits their powder contained talc fragments that could be classed as asbestos fibers.
Other records show company executives discussed keeping findings confidential to protect patents and profits.
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