Montana to Receive $3.5M From Johnson & Johnson Settlement

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On June 12, 2024, at 11:49 AM, Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced that Montana will receive over $3.5 million in a multi-state settlement with Johnson & Johnson to resolve allegations the company manufactured, marketed, and knowingly sold baby powder tainted with carcinogenic asbestos.

“Johnson & Johnson violated Montana’s consumer protection laws, but worse put the health and safety of consumers at risk,” Knudsen said. “The company’s actions are unacceptable and I’m glad we could help to hold them accountable. The settlement holds Johnson & Johnson accountable for manufacturing and selling talc body powder products and marketing them as safe for daily use by consumers while knowing the asbestos contained in the products could cause cancer."

According to Knudsen, Johnson & Johnson also agreed to cease the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, sale, and distribution of all baby, body, and cosmetic powder products and not to do so through a third party.

In his complaint against Johnson & Johnson, Knudsen states that the company’s actions violated Montana’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Acts when they misrepresented the sponsorship, approval, characteristics, benefits, or qualities of their talc powder products; and when they misrepresented the safety of talc products.

Knudsen said Montana is scheduled to begin receiving payments from the settlement on July 30, 2024, and will receive payments through 2027. The funds will be dispersed at the discretion of Knudsen and can be used for restitution and grants for the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Montana.

Click here to read the complaint. Click here to read the final consent judgment.