Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder used to be a household staple, white, fluffy, and trusted since 1894. But behind the sweet-smelling clouds was a problem that definitely didn’t belong near babies (or anyone, really): asbestos.

Despite evidence dating back to the 1950s showing traces of asbestos in their talc products, the brand kept things squeaky clean on the outside and carried on marketing it as totally safe. Fast forward to thousands of lawsuits, billions in payouts, and a full-blown PR disaster.

The big moment came in 2018, when Reuters dropped the bombshell... internal documents proving they knew. Cue a $4.7 billion payout, another $100 million in 2020, and a 2024 plan to settle nearly all ovarian cancer-related claims. Oh, and in 2023, they finally pulled talc-based baby powder from shelves worldwide.

It’s a story of trust lost, dusty secrets, and one of the biggest corporate controversies in recent memory.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.