Story perspectives

Arizona AG Sues L’Oréal Over Hidden Cancer-Risk Evidence

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 11:22 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Arizona Attorney General Kristin Mayes sued L’Oréal SA in state court, alleging concealed cancer-risk evidence.
The suit claims L’Oréal violated consumer-protection laws by selling hair relaxers to African American women without warnings.
Arizona seeks penalties, damages, and an order to halt sales unless cancer warnings are added.
Over 12,000 related lawsuits are consolidated in Chicago federal court as multidistrict litigation.

History

Historical Context

California’s Proposition 65, passed by voters in 1986, requires warnings on products containing listed carcinogens and has generated more than 30,000 claims and over $370 million in settlements through 2020. A 1998 California lawsuit against L’Oréal over formaldehyde in hair relaxers illustrated the law’s reach. In 2024 Arizona Attorney General Kristin Mayes filed a similar suit, showing how the 1986 labeling mandate continues to drive cosmetics litigation.

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Story summary

Arizona Attorney General Kristin Mayes sued L’Oréal SA in state court, alleging concealed cancer-risk evidence.
The suit claims L’Oréal violated consumer-protection laws by selling hair relaxers to African American women without warnings.
Arizona seeks penalties, damages, and an order to halt sales unless cancer warnings are added.
Over 12,000 related lawsuits are consolidated in Chicago federal court as multidistrict litigation.

1 / 2