Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has decided to offer up to $5.5 billion to settle many lawsuits about its baby powder and other products. People allege that its talcum powder products can cause ovarian cancer, which is a serious health issue that has affected many women. This situation has created a long legal fight, which has affected the company for many years and damaged its reputation. Although J&J denies that its products cause cancer, it wants to settle these claims to end the lengthy battles in court. The firm will also change the formula of its baby powder to remove talc entirely. This new formula will use cornstarch instead, which is considered safer. The company is dealing with about 76,000 lawsuits in total and aims to pay around $3 billion next year. Legal firms representing a large percentage of claims must accept this offer before it is finalized. J&J has faced many lawsuits before this, and they hope this settlement plan will help them focus on creating new medicines and health products that can improve people's lives. Lawsuits against J&J began as early as 2009, and they involve claims about contamination with asbestos, a material known to cause cancer. J&J has repeatedly denied these claims. If the offer is accepted, the settlement could allow the company to move forward and reduce its legal risks in the future, which is important for its ongoing operations.
B1 · Intermediate · 233 words · ~1 min
2026-07-28 · BBC News · business

Johnson & Johnson Offers Settlement for Baby Powder Lawsuits
Word notebook · B1
Tap a highlighted word in the text, or study the list below.
- settlement
- An arrangement to resolve a dispute or conflict, often involving payment.
- formula
- The specific method or recipe used to create a product.
- allege
- To claim something is true, often without proof at first.
- asbestos
- A hazardous material that can cause cancer, often found near talc in mines.
- reputation
- The beliefs or opinions that people have about someone or something.
Comprehension check · B1
Finished reading? See how much stuck.
1.What does J&J plan to change in its baby powder formula?
2.Why does J&J want to settle the lawsuits?
3.What health issue is linked to the talcum powder according to the claims?















































