Table of contents
- Latest Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit Updates
- July 27, 2026: J&J Proposes a $5.5 Billion Talc Resolution
- July 22, 2026: Court Orders Plaintiffs to Show Cause
- March 11, 2026: Ontario Court Certifies a Class Action
- November 28, 2025: FDA Withdraws Its Talc Asbestos Testing Rule
- March 31, 2025: Judge Rejects the Red River Talc Plan
- October 18, 2019: FDA Announces a Baby Powder Lot Recall
- July 12, 2018: Missouri Jury Awards $4.7 Billion
- What Is Talcum Powder?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Recall and Regulatory Background
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Still Have Talc in It?
- Can I Still File a Baby Powder Lawsuit After the Settlement Offer?
- What Does the Research Say About Baby Powder and Ovarian Cancer?
- Is There a Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit in the United Kingdom?
- Does Talcum Powder Contain Asbestos?
- Did the Johnson & Johnson Bankruptcy Plans Stop the Talc Lawsuits?
Johnson & Johnson faces lawsuits claiming its baby powder and other talc-based powders caused ovarian cancer. Plaintiffs allege years of genital use led to the disease, and the company denies the claims.
The cases sit in federal MDL 2738 in New Jersey, in state courts and in Canada. J&J proposed a $5.5 billion plan on July 27, 2026 for about 76,000 claims.
The plan is conditioned on at least 95% participation. As of October 13, 2026, J&J had not said whether that threshold was reached.
Latest Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit Updates
July 27, 2026: J&J Proposes a $5.5 Billion Talc Resolution
Johnson & Johnson announced a proposed $5.5 billion resolution of about 76,000 remaining ovarian talc claims, AFP reported [1]. The offer is conditioned on participation of at least 95% of the remaining claims.
The Associated Press reported that the first payment would be no more than $3 billion in 2027 [2]. No additional payments are due until 2028. J&J denies that its talc-based products caused cancer.
July 22, 2026: Court Orders Plaintiffs to Show Cause
The MDL court in the District of New Jersey ordered plaintiffs to show why the remaining pending talc claims should not be dismissed. The order concerns an inability to prove specific causation.
The Associated Press said the judge acted after plaintiffs’ witnesses could not provide a direct link between the company’s product and cancer.
March 11, 2026: Ontario Court Certifies a Class Action
The Ontario Superior Court certified a nationwide class action over Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder, Law360 Canada reported [3]. The suit alleges the powder increased the risk of ovarian cancer.
It also alleges the powder was marketed without adequate warnings. The decision contains no conclusion of wrongdoing, and J&J said it would appeal.
November 28, 2025: FDA Withdraws Its Talc Asbestos Testing Rule
The FDA announced the withdrawal of its proposed rule on testing methods for detecting asbestos in talc-containing cosmetic products [4]. The rule had been published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2024.
March 31, 2025: Judge Rejects the Red River Talc Plan
A federal bankruptcy judge in Houston rejected Johnson & Johnson’s request to approve a $9 billion settlement, the New York Times reported [5]. The settlement was the Red River Talc plan.
J&J said it would return to the tort system rather than pursue a protracted appeal. The Associated Press later said the company decided to fight on in court.
October 18, 2019: FDA Announces a Baby Powder Lot Recall
FDA announced that Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled Johnson’s Baby Powder Lot #22318RB [6]. A sample was found to contain chrysotile, a type of asbestos. Consumers with this lot were told to stop using it.
July 12, 2018: Missouri Jury Awards $4.7 Billion
A St. Louis jury in Missouri awarded about $4.7 billion to 22 women, the BBC reported [7]. The women said they developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talc products.
The award was $550 million in compensatory damages and $4.14 billion in punitive damages. Six of the 22 women had died from ovarian cancer. J&J said it planned to appeal.
What Is Talcum Powder?
According to the American Cancer Society, talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral made up mainly of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. In its natural form, some talc contains asbestos [8].
In this litigation, the products are Johnson’s Baby Powder and other talc-based Johnson & Johnson powder products, which plaintiffs say women used on the genital area for years.
Who May Be Affected?
Women with epithelial ovarian cancer who used talc powder on the genital area for years may be affected. The Ontario class action covers ovarian cancer following perineal use.
BBC reporting on the 2018 Missouri case described women who used baby powder and other talc products for decades. The claims J&J proposes to resolve cover ovarian cancer cases in the federal MDL and related state cases.
Our talcum powder lawsuit page covers the wider talc litigation. Each person’s facts differ, so qualifying needs an individual legal review.
Reported Injuries or Damages
Plaintiffs allege ovarian cancer followed years of genital talc powder use. Lawyers for the 22 Missouri plaintiffs alleged J&J knew its talc was contaminated with asbestos since the 1970s. These are allegations, and J&J denies a link.
Research findings are mixed. The American Cancer Society says some studies report a slightly increased risk and some report no increase. For any individual woman, any increase is likely very small.
FDA says published literature going back to the 1960s has suggested a possible association between genital use of talc powders and ovarian cancer. The agency adds that these studies have not conclusively demonstrated such a link.
A Cramer study in Epidemiology (2016) found an odds ratio of 1.33 (95% CI 1.16, 1.52) for genital talc use. It also found a trend for increasing risk by talc-years [9].
The study was a case-control study in two US states, and it counted direct use or use on sanitary napkins, tampons or underwear.
Recall and Regulatory Background
A sample of Johnson’s Baby Powder from Lot #00918RA tested negative for chrysotile. A recall does not establish liability. It also does not decide whether any person’s cancer was caused by talc powder.
Evidence to Preserve
Keep these items, which may help show what product was used, how long and when the diagnosis came:
- Product identifiers, such as the container, lot number and purchase packaging, if you still have them.
- Purchase records or photographs showing which talc powder was used.
- Medical records and pathology reports confirming the ovarian cancer diagnosis and the date it was made.
- Communications with the manufacturer or retailer about the product.
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines come from state law and vary with where you live. Some states start the clock at diagnosis. Even with strong facts, a missed deadline can end a claim, so speak with a lawyer promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Still Have Talc in It?
Johnson & Johnson baby powder with talc is no longer sold. J&J stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada in 2020. The New York Times also reported that it stopped selling the powder worldwide.
Can I Still File a Baby Powder Lawsuit After the Settlement Offer?
Whether you can still file a baby powder lawsuit after the settlement offer depends on your state’s deadlines. J&J describes the offer as covering the remaining claims and does not mention future filers.
What Does the Research Say About Baby Powder and Ovarian Cancer?
Research on baby powder and ovarian cancer includes IARC, part of the World Health Organization, which classifies talc as probably carcinogenic to humans. That rests on limited evidence for ovarian cancer in humans.
Is There a Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit in the United Kingdom?
A baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit in the United Kingdom was filed in 2025 by about 3,000 claimants. It alleges ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after using J&J baby powder.
Does Talcum Powder Contain Asbestos?
Whether talcum powder contains asbestos is disputed. J&J says its products did not contain asbestos. FDA’s cosmetics asbestos survey tested about 50 products. Plaintiffs allege the powder was contaminated with asbestos.
Did the Johnson & Johnson Bankruptcy Plans Stop the Talc Lawsuits?
The bankruptcy plans did not stop the talc lawsuits. J&J’s earlier plans tried to resolve talc claims through bankruptcy filings by subsidiaries. The July 2026 proposal does not run through bankruptcy. Plaintiffs’ lead counsel Chris Seeger referred to “three failed bankruptcies.”