A recall has been ordered after the Food & Drug Administration found asbestos in Johnson & Johnson baby powder.  Although only one bottle was identified as contaminated, the recall affects 33,000 bottles. Customers should check to see if they purchased Johnson’s Baby Powder from lot #22318RB. Do not use the baby powder if you own an affected bottle. Contact the company to obtain a refund.

The recall comes at a difficult time for Johnson & Johnson, which is facing numerous lawsuits involving its talcum powder. It is the first time the consumer products giant has needed to recall its baby powder over asbestos concerns.

The FDA said in a statement that the purpose of the recall is to keep consumers safe. It also pledged to continue to test products containing talc, including baby powder, in order to look for asbestos.

Johnson & Johnson is facing around 15,000 product defect and related lawsuits concerning its baby powder products. Plaintiffs have argued that the baby powder is responsible for causing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer found in the lungs and other organs. It is known to be caused primarily by asbestos. However, it can take years for someone affected by mesothelioma to begin to show signs. Some of those signs include:

  • Difficulty breathing and swallowing
  • Chest pains
  • Painful coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Abdominal swelling and pain
  • Severe weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea

As these lawsuits continue, the recall will likely add to concerns that Johnson & Johnson is disregarding public safety. Asbestos found in baby powder is not the only problem plaguing the company. Johnson & Johnson has also been accused of playing a significant role in the ongoing opioid crisis. It is also alleged to have marketed and sold several defective health products. The recall may make it difficult for the company to easily escape liability. Customers who may have been harmed are encouraged to contact an experienced product injury attorney.

For its part, Johnson & Johnson is still defending its baby powder product. Despite the recall and the FDA’s involvement, the product remains available for sale. The company says that it employs strict testing standards on its products. It added that the amount of asbestos found in the baby powder was small. Johnson & Johnson also says that its talc products are made using reliable and safe ore sources. An investigation by the company is underway to determine how much asbestos has made its way into the baby powder.

Lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson say the company has known about the risks of its talc products for years. They also say the company used deceptive marketing to sell an unsafe product while doing nothing to fix known problems.

If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after contact with Johnson & Johnson baby powder, consult an attorney. Make sure you see a physician and follow all treatment recommendations, too. Begin saving any medical and other records related to your illness. These may be used later to hold the company responsible and obtain compensation for your injuries.

Mesothelioma is a serious disease which costs time and money to treat. Depending on your injuries, you may be eligible for damages which include:

  • Costs for medical treatments, past, present, and future
  • Prescription drug medications
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost wages
  • Decreased earning ability
  • Wrongful death

Johnson & Johnson’s recall is a reminder to many consumers about the risk of talc products. If you have been exposed to asbestos through Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder, don’t wait to take action. There may be time deadlines to file your claim. An experienced product defect attorney can investigate your injuries and let you know what legal options you may have.