Johnson & Johnson has agreed to a massive $700 million settlement with 42 states, including Alabama, after the groups filed lawsuits alleging that the company engaged in deceptive and misleading marketing tactics about the safety of its baby and body powders, which contain the carcinogen talc.

Additionally, the agreement stipulates that Johnson & Johnson will stop manufacturing and selling baby and body powder products that contain talc in the U.S. The Coalition's investigation has forced the company to stop selling and distributing its products in other countries as well.

As part of the judgment, the state of Alabama will receive $13,458,975.

Eric Hass, J&J's worldwide vice president of litigation, issued a statement on the settlement.

“Johnson & Johnson continues to pursue several paths toward a comprehensive and final resolution of the talc litigation,” Hass said. “Progress includes finalizing the previously announced agreement the company reached with a coalition of 43 state attorneys general to resolve the talc litigation.”

“We will continue to address, through litigation and settlement, the claims of those who do not want to participate in the consensual bankruptcy resolution we are considering.”

According to the ruling, Johnson & Johnson:

• We have discontinued, and have not resumed, the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, sale and distribution in the United States of all baby powder, body powder products and cosmetic powder products, including talcum powder, including, but not limited to, Johnson's Baby Powder and Johnson & Johnson Shower to Shower (the “Affected Products”).
• Permanently cease manufacturing the affected products in the United States, either directly or indirectly through a third party.
• Permanently cease marketing and promotion of the Products in the United States, either directly or indirectly through third parties.
• Permanently cease sale or distribution of the affected products in the United States, either directly or indirectly through a third party.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall noted that these products have had terrible effects on countless women for decades.

RELATED: Alabama Opioid Reconciliation Commission unveils statewide investment plan

“For generations, Johnson & Johnson has promoted its baby powder as a 'clinically proven' product for women and girls. Yet this same company has known since the 1980s that studies show its talcum powder products are contaminated with carcinogenic asbestos and increase users' risk of ovarian cancer. Our extensive bipartisan coalition investigated and took action against this deliberate exploitation and deception of consumers,” Marshall said.

“While this settlement cannot reverse the harms consumers experienced, it can help ensure that no one is exposed to these dangerous products in the future.”

The Alabama settlement money, to be paid by the company to the state of Alabama for consumer enforcement and education, is due to be paid by the company in four installments starting next month.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on X. @ShipleyAusten