Johnson and Johnson knowingly marketed potentially harmful products to African-American women, report finds
A New Jersey jury cleared pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson in March of liability following a lawsuit by a man who alleged asbestos in the company's talc-based products caused his mesothelioma. But Reuters reported Tuesday that the company continued to aggressively market its talc-based products for years, even after the World Health Organization classified such products as "possibly carcinogenic."
Reuters reports Johnson and Johnson ignored warning labels on its shipments from talc supplier Luzenac America Inc and launched a campaign that specifically targeted African-American and overweight women. An internal Johnson and Johnson 2006 marketing presentation reportedly said the "right" places to focus the campaign were "under developed geographical areas with hot weather and higher AA population," with the AA referring to African-American. Johnson and Johnson reportedly proceeded to distribute baby powder, which is a talc-based product, through churches and beauty salons in African-American and Hispanic neighborhoods. It also reportedly ran print and digital advertisements with Weight Watchers.
A lawsuit filed in Mississippi in 2014 alleges Johnson and Johnson failed to warn consumers of its products' health risks and used a "racially targeted strategy" to continue its sales, which the company denies. In response to Reuters' questioning, a Johnson and Johnson spokesperson said suggesting the company "targeted a particular group with a potentially harmful product is incredibly offensive and patently false."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Read the full investigation at Reuters.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 23, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - qualifications, tax cuts, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published