A very popular sunscreen brand has begun a voluntary recall of a few of its products.
The nationwide recall comes as unexpected trace levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, were found following an internal review.
The manufacturer of Banana Boat has voluntarily recalled multiple batches of a hair and scalp sunscreen spray after finding trace amounts of the cancer-causing chemical.
The Connecticut-based Edgewell Personal Care Company said benzene was found in samples of the Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30.
Benzene isn’t an ingredient in its sunscreen spray, but unexpected levels of it were detected in it from the propellant that sprays the product from the can.
Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30 is sold nationwide at many different retail locations as well as online. It is packaged in 6-ounce aerosol spray cans.
The affected batches of sunscreen can be identified by the following batch codes found on the bottom of each can:
- Lot Code: 20016AF; Expiration Date: December 2022
- Lot Code: 20084BF; Expiration Date: February 2023
- Lot Code: 21139AF; Expiration Date: April 2024
“Importantly, no other batches of Hair & Scalp (either before or after the impacted production batches) and no other Banana Boat products are in the scope of this recall and may continue to be used by consumers safely and as intended,” an Edgewell spokesperson said in a statement to NPR.
“We are conducting this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution,” the spokesperson added.
What Is Benzene?
Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen.
It can potentially lead to serious health issues, including leukemia, blood cancer of the bone marrow, and life-threatening blood disorders.
Benzene is naturally occurring in the environment, and humans worldwide have daily exposure to it indoors and outdoors from various sources. Benzene can be absorbed by the body through inhalation, orally, and through the skin.
According to an independent health assessment, even daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products wouldn’t be expected to cause adverse health consequences.
As of this writing, Edgewell Personal Care hasn’t received any adverse events related to the recall of their banana boat hair and spray product.
Edgewell advised customers to stop using the sunscreen product immediately and properly discard them.
Edgewell Personal Care Company has also notified retailers to remove these remaining aerosol sunscreen products from their shelves.
Banana Boat is offering reimbursement to consumers who purchased the recalled item.
Any adverse reactions you may experience using the sunscreen can be reported to the FDA online or through regular mail.
Contact The Shunnarah Trial Attorneys For Your Legal Needs
Recalls are important to stay alert to. For all the most up-to-date recalls, check out https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts. If you are injured by a product, contact our defective product lawyers who can help you take legal action. The legal team at Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys works hard to help injured victims get the compensation they deserve. Call today for a free consultation.
References:
https://www.npr.org/2022/07/31/1114770333/banana-boat-sunscreen-recall
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/banana-boat-sunscreen-recalled-due-traces-cancer-causing-87722390
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/edgewell-personal-care-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-banana-boat-hair-scalp-sunscreen-due#recall-announcement
