SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 15, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah will receive $7.5 million as part of a nationwide settlement with Johnson & Johnson resolving allegations related to the corporation’s baby powder and body powder that contained talc.
Utah joined 42 other states in reaching a $700 million settlement with the corporation, according to a Thursday press release from the Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Consumer Protection.
“Johnson & Johnson has sold such products for over a hundred years,” reads the release. “After the coalition of states began investigating, the company stopped distributing and selling these products in the United States, and, more recently, ended global sales.
“While this settlement agreement targets deceptive marketing of these products, numerous other lawsuits filed by private plaintiffs in class actions raised allegations that talc causes serious health issues, including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.”
Under the settlement Utah will receive $7,540,013 over four years, for approximately $1.88 million each year.
“Our collaboration with the Utah Attorney General’s Office and other states, as well as our relentless pursuit of justice for Utah’s consumers, have borne significant fruit today,” said Commerce Executive Director Margaret Busse.
“We are proud to be part of this nationwide effort to hold companies accountable and look forward to the positive impact these funds will have on protecting consumer health and safety in Utah.”
“For over a century, parents trusted that the fine white talc found in stores across America with Johnson & Johnson’s label was beneficial for their newborns and families,” said Attorney General Sean D. Reyes.
“It is outrageous the company deceptively advertised purity while knowing these household products contained harmful substances that can cause serious health issues, including cancer.”
Under the Settlement Agreement, according to the press release, Johnson & Johnson:
— Has ceased and not resumed the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, sale, and distribution of all baby and body powder products and cosmetic powder products that contain talcum powder, including, but not limited to, Johnson’s Baby Powder and Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower (“Covered Products”) in the United States.
— Shall permanently stop the manufacture of any Covered Products in the United States either directly or indirectly through any third party.
— Shall permanently stop the marketing and promotion of any Covered Products in the United States either directly or indirectly through any third party.
— Shall permanently stop the sale or distribution of any Covered Products in the United States either directly or indirectly through any third party.
