
Talc Lawsuits Prompt Major Retailers to Drop Talcum Powder Products Nationwide
Some big pharmacy chains have taken talcum-based powders off their shelves because of legal pressure
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - As more and more baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuits are filed, several of the biggest retail chains in the country have taken steps to get rid of personal care products that contain talc. The choice shows that people are more worried about the safety of talcum powder and the possible legal problems that could come from selling things tied to cancer claims. There have been more than 60,000 lawsuits across the country claiming that long-term usage of talc can cause ovarian cancer or mesothelioma. This has put even more pressure on merchants in recent years. Now, big-box stores and major pharmacy chains are starting to take talc-containing powders from their shelves and websites, often without making a public announcement. Baby powder cancer lawyers argue that the change is probably a way to manage risk in response to both lawsuits and changing public opinion. A talcum powder cancer lawyer who has worked on a number of high-profile cases said that merchants might be held responsible if they keep selling items that people say are dangerous, especially when manufacturers have started stopping or changing them. While some shop reps have suggested the shift is part of broader product line upgrades, industry analysts point to the timing of these decisions and the legal environment as a more plausible factor.
The cases are based on the notion that using talcum powder on the genitals, especially for lengthy periods of time, may raise the risk of ovarian cancer. Some talc goods have also been found to have small amounts of asbestos in them, which raises worries about mesothelioma, a cancer that usually happens when people breathe in asbestos fibers. The people who are suing say that the companies that made the products failed to do enough to warn consumers about these risks, even though they knew about them for decades. The litigation has brought to light internal corporate papers and expert testimony that have been key to many jury decisions in favor of the plaintiffs. Retailers are becoming more and more caught up in legal and moral issues. Some cases have included retailers as co-defendants, saying that they kept selling the items even when there were public health warnings and continuing lawsuits. As more people learn about the concerns, public health groups and lawyers have asked stores to take steps to safeguard customers and lower their own risk of being sued. People increasingly see taking talc-based powders off the shelf as a way for companies to be responsible and protect themselves.
People are also changing the way they shop. As more people learn about the dangers of talc, fewer people want it, and more buyers are choosing talc-free options that are becoming more common. In response, companies have started making cornstarch-based products or other alternatives that give similar benefits without the same legal problems. The fact that stores are no longer selling talcum powder could speed up this process even more, slowly taking talc out of the mainstream consumer market.