J&J Talc Problem: Federal Authorities Launch Criminal Probe

J&J Talc Problem: Federal Authorities Launch Criminal Probe

Introduction

Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is facing a criminal probe by the U.S. Department of Justice, stating that the company knew about problems with asbestos in talcum powder products, as well as its health risk to consumers, yet failed to provide any warning.

Individuals with the knowledge of probe indicate that a grand jury has been summoned in Washington, D.C., to look at documents suggesting that J&J knew about asbestos or asbestos-like fibers presence for decades. According to a special report published by Reuters in December, internal documents show J&J found asbestos in its talc during three different laboratory tests conducted from 1972-1975 but never reported its findings to the FDA. The data also highlights that J&J was aware of the problems even earlier, with reference to reports dating back to 1957 and 1958. These documents are now the focus of a criminal probe.

J&J currently faces nearly 14,000 Talcum Powder and Shower-to-Shower lawsuits, consolidated under multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2738; In Re: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation), in the District of New Jersey. The MDL is presided by Hon. Freda L. Wolfson, U.S.D.J., and Hon. Lois H. Goodman, U.S.M.J.