Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $110m by a US court

Johnson & Johnson has been ordered by a US court to pay more than £85m ($110m) to Los Slemp (62) from Virginia, Missouri, who says she developed ovarian cancer after using its talcum powder.

Prosecutors argued the company did not adequately warn about the cancer risks associated with its talcum powder. Experts say links with ovarian cancer are not proven and J&J will appeal.

The verdict in a St Louis state court is the largest so far to emerge out of 2, 400 lawsuits against J&J over its talc-based products.

Ms Slemp is currently undergoing chemotherapy after her ovarian cancer initially diagnosed in 2012 returned and spread to her liver.

The verdict included $4.5m in compensatory damages and $105m in punitive damages against J&J.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer says talc used on genitals as “possibly carcinogenic” because of mixed evidence.

The mineral talc in its natural form does contain asbestos and does cause cancer, however, asbestos-free talc has been used in baby powder and other cosmetics since early 1970s.