Johnson & Johnson (J&J) now faces its first lawsuits in the United Kingdom after claimants accused its talc-based baby powder of causing cancers. Over 3,000 people have brought a case in the English High Court.
The plaintiffs say they used J&J’s powder between 1965 and 2023, and later developed ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or other illnesses. They allege the products contained carcinogenic fibers including asbestos.
J&J maintains that its talc products are safe and asbestos-free. It denies they cause cancer. Kenvue UK (its former consumer health segment) says it will contest the claims.
This UK case arrives as J&J battles tens of thousands of similar lawsuits in the U.S. Last week, a U.S. court ordered J&J to pay $966 million in a mesothelioma case.
In the U.K., the case is valued at £1 billion (≈ $1.34 billion). Unlike U.S. trials, which often use juries, this UK case will be decided by a judge.
If the UK court rules against J&J, it could open the door to more claims in Britain and intensify pressure on the company globally.
