Johnson & Johnson Targeted Overweight Women, Witness in Talcum Powder Cancer Trial Alleges

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Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuit Overview:

• Who: Johnson & Johnson 
• What: In a trial against Johnson & Johnson where three women claim its talcum powder gave them cancer, an expert witness alleges the company targeted overweight women.
• Where: Missouri

Johnson & Johnson targeted overweight women in the marketing of its talcum powder – a product that has been linked to deadly ovarian cancers – an expert witness told a jury on Sept. 10. 

The testimony was heard by a Missouri jury in a trial for a case brought by three cancer patients who allege the pharmaceutical company made talcum powder that gave them cancer, Law360 reported.

Plaintiff Debra Marino died of ovarian cancer in 2015. Plaintiffs Susan Vogler and Victoria Giese allegedly endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy and are in remission, according to the class action lawsuit.

Pharmacologist Laura Plunkett showed the jury Johnson & Johnson marketing plans from 2004 showing the company was targeting overweight women and trying to collaborate with companies that work with overweight women, like Weight Watchers.

She said, by that time, there was already evidence available that talcum powder was hazardous, especially when used around the genital area.

Plunkett said Johnson & Johnson had planned in its marketing to target overweight women by highlighting the issue of personal hygiene and sweating. Marketing material from 2008 to 2010 allegedly showed the company planning to give out free samples through Lane Bryant, a clothing brand for plus-size women.

Johnson & Johnson Pulled Their Talcum Powder from the Shelves in May 2020, After Thousands of Lawsuits Alleged the Product Caused Cancer

Johnson & Johnson announced in May 2020 it was pulling its talc-based baby powder from shelves and stopping all sales in the United States and Canada. This decision came after facing thousands of Johnson & Johnson baby powder lawsuits alleging the product causes cancer.

Dozens of research studies, involving thousands of women who used talcum powder, have found that those who do so “are about 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer than women who have not,” according to the National Center for Health Research.

Multiple baby powder cancer lawsuits have resulted in massive awards from juries for women and their families, who alleged their ovarian cancer or mesothelioma was caused by the regular use of talcum powder products.

Talc and asbestos are both naturally mined minerals. Because they often are found next to one another, talc may sometimes become contaminated with asbestos during the mining process.

Johnson & Johnson maintains that the talc used in its products does not contain asbestos, notes Business Insider, even though the company faces investigation. 

Some consumers say that internal documents suggest Johnson & Johnson knew of the presence of asbestos in talc, and the possible dangers therein, but failed to alert the public.

What do you think of Johnson & Johnson’s alleged marketing plans? Let us know in the comments. 

The plaintiffs are represented by Allen Smith of The Smith Law Firm. 

The Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Class Action Lawsuit is Giese v. Johnson & Johnson, Case No. 1522-CC00419 in the 22nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri. 

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Johnson & Johnson Hit With Another Class Action Over Benzene in Sunscreen
• What Is Talc Powder?
• Judge Protects Purdue Pharma, Sackler Family From Opioid Class Action Lawsuits
• Manufacturers Look for Alternatives to Talc in Makeup Products As Cancer Suits Mount