Lancet retracts 1977 unsigned talc commentary after uncovering Johnson & Johnson ties
TL;DR
The Lancet has retracted a 1977 unsigned commentary on cosmetic talc after discovering the author was a paid Johnson & Johnson consultant, revealing an undeclared conflict of interest; editors say such unsigned pieces would not be published today, and the decision comes amid decades of talc-related litigation and ongoing debates over asbestos testing in cosmetics, including a FDA rule proposal later withdrawn in 2025.
- The Lancet retracts half-century-old unsigned commentary on talc for undisclosed industry ties Retraction Watch
- Judge Dismisses US$950 Million Punitive Damages in J&J Talc Case Global Cosmetics News
- Historians Unearth a Conflict of Interest, Prompting a Retraction by The Lancet Journal Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
- J&J caught between dropped cosmetic talc damages and retracted Lancet safety article Personal Care Insights
- Judge Disagrees With Jury, Overturns $950M J&J Punitive Award Mesothelioma Center
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on Retraction Watch