The Lancet medical journal has retracted a decades-old research paper that had supported the safety of baby powder products, according to reports published Tuesday.

The retraction comes amid ongoing legal battles over talc-based products and their potential health risks. Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers have faced thousands of lawsuits alleging their talc products cause cancer, particularly ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

The specific paper being retracted was published years ago and had been cited as evidence supporting the safety of talc-based consumer products. Medical journals occasionally retract previously published studies when new evidence emerges questioning their methodology, data integrity, or conclusions.

The retraction represents another development in the ongoing scientific and legal scrutiny of talc products. Major manufacturers have increasingly moved away from talc-based formulations in recent years, with many switching to cornstarch-based alternatives for baby powder products.

The Lancet is one of the world's most prestigious medical journals, and retractions of published papers, while not unprecedented, are considered significant events in the scientific community.