Getty Images
Michigan and 41 other states and the District of Columbia reached a $700 million settlement Tuesday with Johnson & Johnson for deceiving consumers about the safety of its baby and body powders containing talc.
Pending judicial approval, Michigan would receive $20,615,040.58 of the settlement to be used in any lawful manner, including restitution to those impacted.
New York’s Attorney General Letitia James put out a statement Tuesday saying the bipartisan effort to hold Johnson & Johnson accountable particularly holds those who would take advantage of communities of color accountable.
James said that Johnson & Johnson targeted communities of color for years with advertisements for its baby and body powder products containing talcum powder which can cause negative health outcomes like ovarian cancer and lung issues.
“Targeting communities with cosmetic products that contain dangerous substances is not just illegal, it is very cruel,” James said. “No amount of money can undo the pain caused by Johnson & Johnson’s talc-laced products, but today families can rest assured that the company is being held accountable for the harm it caused, and its dangerous products will no longer be on shelves in New York.”
Johnson & Johnson has sold baby products for more than a century and should be held to a high level of responsibility, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a news release Tuesday.
“Product safety should be a top priority for every company in every sector, but especially an historic, trusted brand selling baby care products,” Nessel said. “Misleading Michigan consumers will not be tolerated, no matter how large or well-known the corporate perpetrator. We will stand up for consumer safety in our state, and I’m appreciative for our many bipartisan partners on this litigation throughout the country.”
As a part of the agreement with the attorneys general, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to stop the manufacture and sale of baby and body powder products containing talc within the United States.
The post Michigan to receive $20 million in Johnson & Johnson talc products settlement appeared first on Michigan Advance.