Claimants allege that asbestos-contaminated talcum powder caused thousands of cases of cancer, including ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and peritoneal cancer.

KP Law, which is leading the action, claims J&J knew as early as the 1970s that its talc contained asbestos but continued selling the products in the UK until 2022 without warning consumers. The firm plans to file papers later this month at the High Court in London.

J&J has faced similar lawsuits in the US, where it has proposed multi-billion-dollar settlements while maintaining that its products do not cause cancer. This case marks the first time the company will face legal action on the issue in a UK court.

Tom Longstaff, a partner at KP Law, said: “All the claimants who have sustained cancer after using J&J’s talcum powder products have experienced a life-changing illness. In some cases, they have died from their cancer, leaving their families devastated. All of these individuals deserve justice.”

A spokesperson for Kenvue, the J&J spin-off responsible for talc-related claims outside the US and Canada, rejected the allegations, stating: “We sympathise deeply with people who suffer from cancer and understand that they and their families want answers, but the robust science shows that use of our talc-based powder does not cause cancer.

“Lawyers in the US have created unfounded confusion and unnecessary fear about talc, an ingredient that has been used safely in foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products for decades. It is clear that lawyers are now seeking to exploit cancer patients and their families in the UK by spreading this same fear.

“Decades of testing by medical experts in the UK and around the world … demonstrates that the product is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”