When Johnson & Johnson announced its switch from talcum powder to a corn starch–based formula for its baby products, it marketed the move as meeting evolving consumer demands and ensuring safety. But behind that narrative lies a darker calculus: a desperate reaction to hundreds of lawsuits linking its talc formulations to severe health conditions.
With a record-shattering $966 million verdict in 2025 and thousands of claims still pending, critics argue the pivot was reactive, too late, and incapable of restoring public trust.
