McKesson Corporation sells baby powder in two formulas: cornstarch-based and talc-based. The talc-based line is sold under its Medi-Pak Performance brand. Attorneys are investigating claims that it caused ovarian cancer or mesothelioma in people who used it.
The claims allege McKesson failed to warn users. They say its talc-based baby powder could contain asbestos, a known carcinogen. They also allege that regular genital use of talc-containing powder raises the risk of ovarian cancer.
As of September 24, 2026, no lawsuit has been filed against McKesson over its talc-based baby powder. No multidistrict litigation or class action has been filed either. Claims against McKesson remain at the attorney-investigation stage.
- Case or litigation name: Not applicable – no McKesson-specific case or MDL has been identified
- Defendants: McKesson Corporation (the manufacturer/distributor under attorney investigation; no filed case naming a defendant was found)
- Court and docket number, when available: No filed case
- MDL number, judge, and case count, when an MDL exists: No MDL
- Filing date: No filing yet
- Main allegations: Attorneys investigating these claims allege that regular use of talc-containing McKesson baby powder caused ovarian cancer or, where the talc was contaminated with asbestos, mesothelioma, and that McKesson failed to adequately warn consumers of the risk
- Products or people involved: McKesson-brand baby powder, including the talc-based Medi-Pak(tm) Performance Baby Powder line (e.g., item 16-BP4T) and the separate cornstarch-based McKesson Baby Powder line; women who used a talc-containing product for feminine hygiene and people exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc
Table Of Contents
- Latest McKesson Baby Powder Lawsuit Updates
- What Is Talc?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Potential Compensation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Family Members File a McKesson Baby Powder Lawsuit for Wrongful Death?
- Which McKesson Baby Powder Products Contain Talc?
- Is There a Class Action or MDL in the McKesson Baby Powder Lawsuit?
- What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
- What Does the Research Say About Talc and Ovarian Cancer?
- Can Inhaling Talc Cause Lung Problems Besides Cancer?
- Does the FDA Consider Talc Baby Powder Safe?
- References
Latest McKesson Baby Powder Lawsuit Updates
November 28, 2025: FDA Withdraws Proposed Asbestos-Testing Rule
The FDA withdrew a proposed rule [1]. The rule was about asbestos testing in talc products. It would have set standard test methods for talc-containing cosmetics. The agency said it needed more time to review public comments.
That standard would have applied to baby powder too. Questions about talc’s potential asbestos contamination first arose in the 1970s. The rule’s withdrawal does not change the product-liability claims described below.
June 12, 2013: Pooled Study Links Genital Talc Use to Higher Ovarian Cancer Risk
A pooled analysis of eight case-control studies looked at genital talc-powder use and ovarian cancer. It covered 8,525 cancer cases and 9,859 controls. The study found a link between talc use and higher cancer risk [2].
The researchers were led by Kathryn Terry. They published the findings in Cancer Prevention Research. The link was strongest for serous and clear-cell tumors. It did not grow with heavier lifetime use.
What Is Talc?
According to a New Jersey Department of Health fact sheet, talc is an odorless, grayish-white mineral, also called hydrous magnesium silicate [3]. It is mined from the earth and ground into a fine powder for cosmetic use.
Talc deposits can occur close to asbestos. Asbestos is a known carcinogen. So mining sites require careful testing. McKesson sells both a cornstarch-based baby powder and a separate talc-based line.
Who May Be Affected?
People who regularly used a talc-containing McKesson baby powder are the focus of the current investigations. This applies to use for feminine hygiene or infant care. It applies most if they were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
People exposed to McKesson talc contaminated with asbestos fall into the same group. This includes personal use and work handling the product. It applies to those later diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
Ovarian cancer and asbestos-related disease can both take years or decades to develop after talc exposure. So a current diagnosis does not rule out use of the product long ago.
Whether these circumstances, including product use, the exact diagnosis, and timing, support a claim depends on an individual legal review.
Reported Injuries or Damages
Complaints in similar talc litigation allege ovarian cancer in women with a history of genital talc-powder use. The claims include invasive serous, endometrioid and clear-cell tumors.
Other complaints allege mesothelioma in people who inhaled talc contaminated with asbestos, through personal use or on the job. Talc inhalation on its own, without asbestos contamination, can also irritate the lungs and cause scarring with repeated heavy exposure.
The Terry et al. pooled analysis of genital talc use, named above, found a statistically significant link between talc use and a higher chance of ovarian cancer among regular users, compared with women who never used the product.
These findings describe an association, not proof that talc caused any one person’s cancer. According to the FDA, these studies have not conclusively demonstrated a causal link. More research is needed to confirm or rule out one.
Similar allegations are part of the broader talcum powder lawsuits. These target other manufacturers. Johnson & Johnson is the chief example. It faces separate, larger-scale litigation over the same theory.
Evidence to Preserve
Anyone considering a McKesson baby powder claim should try to locate and keep the following records and materials:
- Packaging, receipts, or purchase records showing the McKesson product name and item number
- Medical records documenting the ovarian cancer or mesothelioma diagnosis, including pathology reports
- Notes on how long and how often the product was used, and when
- Photographs of the product, its label, and any remaining packaging or container
- Workplace or exposure records if the talc exposure happened on the job
Save these details promptly. Do this before packaging is discarded or memories fade. This keeps them available if a lawyer later reviews the case.
Filing Deadlines
Deadlines for filing a claim like this come from state law. The specific time limit is not the same in every state.
The filing window generally starts from the illness or diagnosis. Some states instead use the date the injury was discovered. That may differ from the date the exposure happened.
Missing this window can end a claim. This is true no matter how strong the facts are. So speak with a lawyer promptly to confirm it.
Potential Compensation
A successful product-liability claim over talc-containing baby powder may seek compensation. This can include medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.
No McKesson-specific verdict or settlement has been found yet. So no exact dollar amount can be stated for this case or claim.
Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This overview of potential compensation categories is general information. It does not promise any result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Family Members File a McKesson Baby Powder Lawsuit for Wrongful Death?
Yes, family members can file a McKesson baby powder lawsuit for wrongful death. Potential compensation can include a separate claim under state law. This applies when talc-related ovarian cancer or mesothelioma is fatal. A spouse, child, or the deceased person’s estate typically pursues it.
Which McKesson Baby Powder Products Contain Talc?
McKesson’s baby powder line includes a talc-based Medi-Pak Performance Baby Powder. Its item number is 16-BP4T. It lists talc as its active ingredient. A separate cornstarch-based item, with aloe and vitamin E, is sold under the same brand.
Is There a Class Action or MDL in the McKesson Baby Powder Lawsuit?
No class action or MDL is currently pending in the McKesson baby powder lawsuit. The only talc-related MDL is MDL-2738. It covers Johnson & Johnson, not McKesson. Claims against McKesson remain individual, attorney-investigation matters as of September 2026.
What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer symptoms include pelvic pain or pressure. They also include abdominal or back pain and bloating. Other signs are feeling full quickly and a change in bathroom habits, such as more frequent urination or constipation. Unusual vaginal bleeding should prompt a doctor visit right away.
What Does the Research Say About Talc and Ovarian Cancer?
A pooled study of genital talc-powder use found a link to ovarian cancer. The risk rose by about 24%, compared with no use. The rise was most pronounced for certain tumor subtypes. The FDA says this evidence has not conclusively proven that talc causes ovarian cancer.
Can Inhaling Talc Cause Lung Problems Besides Cancer?
Yes, inhaling McKesson’s talc-based baby powder can cause lung problems besides cancer. It can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. Repeated heavy exposure may lead to permanent lung scarring, a hazard separate from the cancer claims described above.
Does the FDA Consider Talc Baby Powder Safe?
The FDA has not declared talc baby powder safe or unsafe. It does not need to approve cosmetics like baby powder before sale. It has not found data proving talc products are unsafe. The agency keeps testing talc products for asbestos.
References
- https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3766843/
- https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1773.pdf