Johnson & Johnson subpoenaed by DOJ and SEC, company says

Johnson & Johnson has received subpoenas from the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission related to the safety of its baby powder products, the company said Wednesday.

The disclosure was made in an annual federal report filed with the SEC.

The company said it intends to comply with the subpoenas, as well as a request from Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to produce documents regarding claims of asbestos in talcum powder products, including baby powder.{mosads}

J&J is facing a wave of lawsuits brought by thousands of plaintiffs who allege that talc in the company’s baby powder products contained asbestos and caused mesothelioma, ovarian cancer and other diseases. The company said it intends to continue to defend itself against the litigation.

Late last year, the company launched a national ad campaign defending itself following an investigation from Reuters that said the company knew for decades its talc baby powder contained traces of asbestos.

The Reuters report caused a significant drop in the company’s stock, but it has since rebounded.

J&J has asserted that Reuters ignored a host of scientific evidence showing talc does not cause cancer and noted that there has been no asbestos found in baby powder products that have been on the market for the past 15 years.