Johnson & Johnson recently announced plans to pull baby powder containing talc worldwide next year amid thousands of lawsuits claiming it had caused cancer.

As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, Johnson & Johnson has made the decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio. As a result of this transition, talc-based JOHNSON’S Baby Powder will be discontinued globally in 2023.

“We continuously evaluate and optimize our portfolio to best position the business for long-term growth. This transition will help simplify our product offerings, deliver sustainable innovation, and meet the needs of our consumers, customers and evolving global trends,” the company announced in a press release.”

The company faced thousands of lawsuits alleging its talcum powder caused users to develop ovarian cancer, through use for feminine hygiene, or mesothelioma, a cancer that strikes the lungs and other organs.

Johnson & Johnson contends the overwhelming majority of medical research on talc reveals that talc baby powder is safe and doesn’t cause cancer.

However, demand for the company’s baby powder decreased significantly due to the controversy and the company removed talc from the products in most of North America and Canada.

Cornstarch-based JOHNSON’S Baby Powder is currently already being sold in countries around the world. J&J remains fully committed to ensuring JOHNSON’S products are loved by parents and families for years to come.

“Our position on the safety of our cosmetic talc remains unchanged. We stand firmly behind the decades of independent scientific analysis by medical experts around the world that confirms talc-based JOHNSON’S Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer,” the press release detailed.