London: Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is facing its first lawsuits in the United Kingdom over allegations that its talc-based baby powder caused cancer, even as the company continues to battle tens of thousands of similar claims in the United States, Reuters reported.

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday at the English High Court, names Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue UK Limited — a subsidiary of Kenvue, J&J’s former consumer health unit spun off in 2023 — as defendants. The case, brought by KP Law, represents more than 3,000 claimants who allege that using J&J’s baby powder between 1965 and 2023 caused ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and other diseases.

Plaintiffs allege asbestos contamination

According to the claimants, J&J’s talc-based products contained carcinogenic fibres, including asbestos, a known cause of mesothelioma. The lawsuit claims that J&J failed to warn consumers about the alleged risks despite being aware of potential contamination for decades.

J&J and Kenvue defend product safety

Both J&J and Kenvue have denied the allegations, maintaining that their talc-based powders are safe and asbestos-free.
In a statement cited by Reuters, Kenvue said, “The baby powder did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”

J&J ceased sales of its talc-based baby powder in the United States in 2020 and in the United Kingdom in 2023, replacing it with cornstarch-based alternatives.

Ongoing global litigation

In the US, J&J continues to face tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that its talc products caused cancer. In one recent case, the company was ordered to pay $966 million to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma, with most of the amount awarded as punitive damages — a type of compensation not typically available in England.

£1 billion lawsuit in UK

Law firm KP Law estimates the total value of the UK lawsuit at around £1 billion ($1.34 billion). English civil courts generally decide such cases by judge rather than jury, and while exemplary damages are possible, payouts tend to be far smaller than those in the US.

Kenvue said it expects the court to find that its talc-based products do not cause cancer, and that it will “vigorously defend” its position.