A Reuters report has said that Johnson & Johnson has always been aware since 1971 that its baby powder contains asbestos. Its talcum powder products cause cancer, the report says.

"Lacking evidence, Darlene Coker was forced to drop her lawsuit alleging that Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder caused her cancer. Two decades later, the evidence she sought is finally emerging," Reuters writes in its investigative report.

"The company knew the truth for decades. Rather than do anything about it, they silenced their critics and made millions upon millions in profits while babies’ lungs and genitourinary tracts got filled with cancer-causing poison," alleged Eugene Gu, a scientist.

Following the report, the company's stocks have nosedived.