Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $70m in talcum powder lawsuit

US-based personal care company Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $70m after a lawsuit alleged that the use of its talcum powder triggered ovarian cancer.

In the lawsuit, 63 year old Deborah Giannecchini alleged that she has been using the company's talcum powder for the last 40 years, which triggered ovarian cancer. She stopped using the powder after being diagnosed three years ago.

Giannecchini claimed that the firm is responsible for her condition as it has been negligent with the product's production process and marketing.

In response, Johnson & Johnson has been ordered by a judge to pay $65m to Giannecchini for inflicting damages and around $2.5m for the medical bills, pain, and suffering.

The jury has also ordered Imerys Talc America, a supplier of the company's talcum powder, to pay $2.5m in punitive damages.

Johnson & Johnson's spokesperson Carol Goodrich was quoted by Globalcosmeticsnews.com as stating: “We deeply sympathise with the women and families impacted by ovarian cancer.

"We will appeal the verdict because we are guided by the science, which supports the safety of Johnson's Baby Powder.”

Earlier this year, two other lawsuits were also filed against the company in New Jersey seeking a combined $127m as payment in damages. These also claimed the use of talcum powder could trigger the disease but were reportedly dismissed as the judge stated there was not enough proof.