By Josh Beckerman

Consent judgments were filed on Tuesday in Johnson & Johnson's proposed $700 million settlement related to marketing of its talcum-based baby powder.

The settlement with 43 attorneys general, which resolves claims of deceptive marketing practices, is subject to judicial approval. A tentative agreement was announced in January.

According to several attorneys general, J&J has agreed to stop the manufacture and sale of its baby powder and body powder products that contain talc in the U.S.

J&J no longer sells talc-based baby powder. Last year, J&J separated its consumer-health business into a stand-alone company, Kenvue, which sells a cornstarch-based version of Johnson's Baby Powder.

The proposed settlement doesn't resolve personal-injury lawsuits filed by thousands of plaintiffs in various U.S. courts, alleging that talcum powder in Johnson's Baby Powder could cause inflammation that leads to ovarian cancer. J&J has denied a link between talc use and ovarian cancer.

J&J said on May 1 that it planned to file a third bankruptcy case to resolve talc-related liabilities if enough injury claimants accept its offer first.

"Consistent with the plan we outlined last year, the Company continues to pursue several paths to achieve a comprehensive and final resolution of the talc litigation," J&J's Worldwide Vice President of Litigation Erik Haas said. The company "will continue to address the claims of those who do not want to participate in our contemplated consensual bankruptcy resolution through litigation or settlement."

Write to Josh Beckerman at josh.beckerman@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

06-11-24 1523ET