RICHMOND, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW)  – Attorney General Jason Miyares, along with 42 other state attorneys general, has secured a $700 million nationwide settlement with Johnson & Johnson over allegations of deceptive marketing of its talc-based baby powder and body powder products.

The lawsuit alleged that Johnson & Johnson misled consumers through advertisements about the purity and safety of the powders.

Attorney General Miyares said the case was about the importance of honest marketing practices, especially for products that could impact consumer health.

“This settlement reflects the severity of the conduct and our commitment to keeping consumer products safe for Virginians,” he stated.

The company has agreed to stop manufacturing and selling talc-based powders in the United States as part of the settlement.

There are separate lawsuits from private plaintiffs have alleging that talc causes health issues such as mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.

Virginia will receive the $21.2 million from the settlement, pending judicial approval by the Richmond City Circuit Court.

Johnson & Johnson sold the talc products for over a century.