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(Des Moines, IA) -- Iowa's getting more than $9 million out of a $700 million national settlement with Johnson & Johnson. Iowa was one of 42 states claiming the company used deceptive marketing practices related to its talc-based baby powder and body powder products.
The lawsuit targeted the deceptive marketing of these products, but numerous other lawsuits raised allegations that talc causes serious health issues including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Following investigations launched by the states, J&J has agreed to permanently stop the creation and sale of these talc-based products within the U.S.
“It is important that Iowans know the truth about the products they are using, especially when it concerns the health of their babies,” said Attorney General Bird. “This settlement holds Johnson & Johnson accountable for deceptive marketing and keeps dangerous, talc-based baby powder products off the shelves.”
The settlement requires J&J to stop the manufacture, marketing, promotion, distribution and sale of all baby and body powder products that contain talc. That includes Johnson’s Baby Powder and Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower.
Iowa will receive $9,455,006.54 from the settlement.
Iowa joined the Texas, Florida, and North Carolina-led settlement. They were joined by Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.