Talcum powder lawsuits have surged across the United States, with tens of thousands of plaintiffs alleging that long-term use of talc-based products—especially those contaminated with asbestos—led to serious illnesses such as ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and meningioma. While Johnson & Johnson is the most prominent defendant, many other brands have been named in litigation for allegedly selling unsafe products, failing to warn consumers, or using contaminated talc in cosmetics and personal care items.
This article outlines the major brands named in talcum powder lawsuits, the reasons behind the claims, and what consumers should know about product safety and legal accountability.
Why Are Brands Being Sued?
Plaintiffs allege that manufacturers and retailers:
- Sold talc-based products contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen
- Failed to warn consumers about cancer risks associated with talc use
- Ignored or suppressed internal safety studies and scientific evidence
- Continued selling talc products after recalls and public health warnings
These lawsuits fall under product liability, failure to warn, and negligence claims. Many are consolidated in MDL No. 2738, the federal multidistrict litigation in New Jersey.
Major Brands Named in Talcum Powder Lawsuits
1. Johnson & Johnson
- Products: Johnson’s® Baby Powder, Shower to Shower®
- Allegations: Asbestos contamination, failure to warn, deceptive marketing
- Status: Over 60,000 lawsuits pending; multiple billion-dollar verdicts; global discontinuation of talc products in 2023
J&J is the most frequently sued company in talc litigation. Internal documents revealed the company knew about asbestos risks for decades2.
2. Colgate-Palmolive
- Product: Cashmere Bouquet®
- Allegations: Asbestos contamination in talc mined for the product
- Status: Multiple mesothelioma verdicts, including a $13 million award in California
Cashmere Bouquet was marketed for feminine hygiene and daily use, increasing exposure risk.
3. Avon
- Products: Talc-based body and face powders
- Allegations: Asbestos contamination, failure to warn
- Status: $52.1 million verdict awarded to a California woman with mesothelioma
Avon has faced lawsuits for selling talc products allegedly linked to asbestos exposure.
4. Gold Bond (Sanofi)
- Products: Gold Bond Medicated Powder, Gold Bond Men’s Essentials
- Allegations: Use of talc linked to asbestos contamination
- Status: Lawsuits allege Sanofi knew of risks but failed to warn consumers
Gold Bond has since reformulated many products with cornstarch, but litigation continues.
5. Chanel
- Products: Chanel No. 5® Bath Powder, Poudre Universelle Libre®
- Allegations: Talc-based powders may have contained asbestos
- Status: First sued in 2016; later discontinued talc-based powders
Chanel denied contamination but removed talc from its product line amid growing scrutiny.
6. Estée Lauder, Clinique, Revlon, Mary Kay
- Products: Talc-based cosmetics (e.g., blush, eyeshadow, face powders)
- Allegations: Use of talc in makeup linked to asbestos exposure
- Status: Named in lawsuits; some brands reformulated or discontinued talc products
Cosmetic talc is under increasing FDA scrutiny, especially in products marketed to women and children.
7. Sanofi (Gold Bond)
- See Gold Bond section above. Sanofi is the parent company and has faced lawsuits for its talc-based powders.
8. Whittaker, Clark & Daniels
- Role: Industrial talc supplier
- Allegations: Supplied asbestos-contaminated talc to manufacturers
- Status: $4.8 million verdict awarded in California; thousands of lawsuits pending
Whittaker’s talc was used in products like Old Spice and other consumer brands.
9. Imerys Talc America
- Role: Talc miner and supplier for J&J and others
- Allegations: Supplied asbestos-contaminated talc
- Status: Filed for bankruptcy; created $862 million trust to resolve claims
Imerys played a central role in the supply chain and has paid hundreds of millions in talcum powder settlements.
10. Mennen (Colgate-Palmolive)
- Product: Mennen Shave Talc
- Allegations: Linked to mesothelioma in male users
- Status: Lawsuits allege asbestos exposure from aftershave talc products
Mennen products were popular in the mid-20th century and are now part of Colgate-Palmolive’s portfolio.
Retailers Named in Lawsuits
Retailers such as Walmart, CVS, and Rite Aid have also been named in lawsuits for:
- Selling recalled talc products
- Failing to remove hazardous items from shelves
- Not providing adequate warnings
These cases argue that retailers are part of the distribution chain and share liability for consumer harm.
Types of Products Involved
Talc-based products named in lawsuits include:
- Baby powders
- Body powders
- Feminine hygiene powders
- Face powders and cosmetics
- Foot powders
- Shaving talc
- Industrial talc used in ceramics, paint, and pharmaceuticals
Even small, repeated exposures—especially in the genital area or via inhalation—can increase cancer risk over time.
Final Thoughts
Talcum powder lawsuits have expanded beyond Johnson & Johnson to include a wide range of manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers. Brands like Cashmere Bouquet, Gold Bond, Avon, and Chanel have faced legal scrutiny for allegedly selling asbestos-contaminated products without proper warnings. As litigation continues, consumers are urged to check product labels, avoid talc-based powders, and consult attorneys if they’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma.
Understanding which brands are named—and why—can help victims make informed decisions about their legal rights and health risks.
References
- LawFirm.com. . (2025). Talcum powder brands: Learn what companies hid the truth about talc. https://www.lawfirm.com/product-liability/talcum-powder/brands/
- Forbes Advisor. (2024). Talcum powder lawsuit update. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/product-liability/talcum-powder-update/
- King Law. (2025). Talcum powder lawsuit – July 2025 update. https://www.robertkinglawfirm.com/mass-torts/talcum-powder-lawsuit/
- Drugwatch. (2025). Talcum powder lawsuits: Cancer claims & eligibility. https://www.drugwatch.com/talcum-powder/lawsuits/
- TalcumPowderCancerLawsuit.com. . (2025). Retailers face legal pressure to pull all talc products from store shelves. https://www.talcumpowdercancerlawsuit.com/news/retailers-face-legal-pressure-to-pull-all.asp