Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is one of the largest health and consumer goods companies in the world, with annual revenues exceeding $80 billion. The company has been involved in a wide range of healthcare activities, from producing everyday consumer products to developing advanced pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and even a COVID-19 vaccine through its Janssen subsidiary. However, J&J’s reputation has been repeatedly challenged by litigation surrounding its products, most notably talc-based powders and opioid medications.
Talc and Asbestos Concerns
For decades, J&J marketed baby powder and other talc-based products as safe and gentle. Scientific concern arose because talc, when mined near asbestos, can become contaminated with asbestos fibers, a well-established carcinogen. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected chrysotile asbestos in a single lot of J&J’s baby powder, leading to a recall. J&J has faced tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that asbestos-contaminated talc caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. The company has consistently denied wrongdoing, but in 2018 a Missouri jury awarded $4.7 billion in damages to 22 women—a verdict later reduced on appeal. By 2025, J&J reported more than 60,000 active talc-related lawsuits, and proposed multi-billion-dollar settlements remain in dispute.
Knowledge and Internal Documents
A 2018 Reuters investigation revealed internal company documents indicating that J&J was aware of asbestos contamination in some of its talc products over several decades. While the company contests these findings, the reporting has fueled public concern that consumer safety was knowingly compromised in favor of profit.
Opioid Litigation
J&J has also been implicated in the opioid crisis. The company agreed to contribute up to $5 billion to nationwide settlements addressing claims that pharmaceutical manufacturers fueled widespread addiction and overdose deaths. Like in the talc cases, J&J denied liability but chose to settle to resolve litigation.
Consumer Products and Risks
J&J’s consumer health arm, formerly under McNeil Consumer Healthcare and now part of Kenvue after a 2023 spinoff, has produced familiar household brands such as Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Listerine, Zyrtec, Pepcid, Visine, and others. While these products are FDA-approved and widely used, they are not without risks:
Tylenol (acetaminophen): Overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the U.S. Motrin (ibuprofen): Carries a boxed warning for increased risk of heart attack and stroke Imodium (loperamide): Safe at recommended doses, but abuse can cause life-threatening heart problems Visine and Zyrtec: Effective for allergy and eye relief but associated with side effects such as drowsiness or rebound redness Listerine and Splenda: Contain artificial ingredients and sweeteners that remain controversial, though regulatory bodies consider them safe at approved levels
Notably, talc has appeared as an inactive ingredient in some formulations, although J&J announced in 2020 it would discontinue talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and switched to cornstarch globally by 2023.
Why the Risk Is High
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) illustrates how even widely trusted medications carry risks. Because so many over-the-counter and prescription products contain acetaminophen—including cold, flu, sleep, and pain remedies—people often exceed the safe daily limit without realizing it. Once the liver’s defenses are overwhelmed, the toxic metabolite NAPQI builds up, leading to cell death and acute liver failure if untreated.
Consequences
Every year in the United States, acetaminophen overdose leads to an estimated 56,000 emergency visits, 26,000 hospitalizations, and roughly 500 deaths. Although the antidote, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), can prevent severe liver injury if given promptly, treatment depends on early recognition and medical intervention. This narrow margin between safe use and toxicity underscores the importance of careful label reading, dose awareness, and consumer education.
Corporate Responsibility and Public Trust
J&J’s history highlights the tension between corporate profit, regulatory oversight, and consumer safety. Critics argue that litigation costs are outweighed by profits, giving little incentive to change risky formulations. The company counters that it invests billions into research, safety, and healthcare innovation. Regardless, the talc and opioid cases have damaged public trust, especially when combined with the perception that large corporations knowingly allowed harmful products to remain on the market.
References
U.S. FDA. (2023). Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Authorization. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). (2023). Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans: Talc. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2019). Statement on testing of cosmetic products for asbestos. Belluck, P. (2018). Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $4.7 billion in talc cancer case. New York Times. Reuters. (2025). J&J faces 60,000 lawsuits over talc products. Reuters Investigates. (2018). Johnson & Johnson knew for decades that asbestos lurked in its baby powder. NPR. (2021). Johnson & Johnson to pay $5 billion in opioid settlement. Kenvue. (2023). Our Brands. Mayo Clinic. (2023). Acetaminophen overdose. StatPearls. (2023). Acetaminophen Toxicity. NCBI Bookshelf. Rubin, J. B., et al. (2017). Acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure in the United States. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 51(7), 597–603. PMC5962381 Medscape. (2024). Acetaminophen toxicity overview. Johnson & Johnson. (2020). Statement on talc-based baby powder discontinuation.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor is it reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Always follow product labeling and consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about medications or treatments.
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