J&J hits back over asbestos in talc claims

Shares in Johnson & Johnson slid around 10% on Friday after a Reuters article claimed the company had known for decades about asbestos in talcum powder products.

In a rebuttal, J&J says that the Reuters’ article is “one-sided, false, and inflammatory” and insists its baby powder is safe and free of asbestos. Claims to the contrary are an “absurd conspiracy theory,” according to the company.