Not Just J&J: Major Cosmetics Companies Moving Away from Talc Amid String of Lawsuits:
The cosmetic industry is in a state of upheaval as a growing number of manufacturers are scrambling to remove talc from their products amid a slew of lawsuits and negative publicity, Reuters reports.The mineral talc (also called talcum powder) has been widely used for decades in body products that include makeup and baby powder. It has long been considered a healthy choice for absorbing moisture, but it also can be tainted with lethal levels of asbestos as the two substances are often found in the same rock. Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, and has been banned from use in most products in the United States since the late 1970's.In recent years, the primary target of lawsuits and scrutiny has been Johnson & Johnson, with thousands of plaintiffs filing suits since 2013 claiming the company’s Baby Powder was causing cancer in some of its users. In 2018, Reuters published an article claiming Johnson & Johnson knew for decades its baby powder was tainted with asbestos. J&J has consistently denied Reuters’ claims and insists its talc products are asbestos-free, but in 2020, it finally removed Baby Powder from store shelves citing growing controversy and flagging sales.
Other Companies Following Suit
After the J&J scandal, other major manufacturers, some of whom face lawsuits of their own, are now moving either to discontinue their talc-based products or to eliminate talc from their product ingredients. A few of the most notable examples:
- Revlon has removed talc from its line of body powders.
- L’Oreal is exploring talc alternatives for its products that use it.
- Chanel has discontinued its talc-based body powder and is reformulating a talc-free version of its loose face powder. It continues to produce other products containing talc.
- German skincare product company Beiersdorf has reformulated its Nivea baby powder to replace talc with cornstarch.
- Sanofi, the company that makes Gold Bond body and foot powders, first “dug in” and stood by the safety of its powders, but recently reformulated them with corn starch in place of talc.
Virtually all the companies currently under scrutiny or facing lawsuits over their use of talc vehemently claim their products are asbestos-free.
Contact the Madeksho Law Firm
If you or someone you love is suffering from cancer or mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to restitution. Contact the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us online. Your first consultation is free, and we never charge a fee unless we win your claim.
