Banana Boat recalls multiple sunscreen spray batches tainted with cancer-causing benzene

01 Aug 2022 --- An internal analysis has revealed that tiny quantities of the cancer-causing chemical benzene were found in various batches of the Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30, and the company voluntarily recalled its stock.

Edgewell Personal Care has recalled various batches of its Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 “as a precaution” after an internal analysis found tiny quantities of the cancer-causing chemical benzene.

The Connecticut, US-based company explains that benzene is not a component in their sunscreen spray but rather, the high quantities of the chemical discovered were a result of the propellant that sprays the product from the container.

Locating the liabilities
The sunscreen sprays were packaged in aerosol cans and distributed both in-person and online throughout the US.

The recalled goods were due to expire in December 2022, February 2023 and April 2024. A lot code number located on the bottom of the can, can also be used to identify the impacted items. 

Edgewell explains that the Food and Drug Administration’s website carries information for consumers to be able to identify which lot code numbers are safe to use and which are hazardous.

Banana Boat is giving a refund to anybody who purchased these products.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), long-term benzene exposure can harm the blood and bone marrow, and lead to cancer. The CDC highlights that benzene exposure can occur by inhalation, oral ingestion or skin contact.

Rectifying with refunds
An Edgewell spokesperson elaborates that no other batches of the Hair & Scalp product – neither before nor after the impacted production batches – and no other Banana Boat products are in the scope of this recall. 

They “may continue to be used by consumers safely and as intended,” the spokesperson says in a statement sent to National Public Radio.

The company is “conducting this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution.”

Edgewell asked customers to cease using these goods immediately and properly dispose of them, and said that Banana Boat is giving a refund to anybody who purchased these products.

Suncare for cancer mitigation
In recent suncare-related developments, the UN unveiled a suncare app as a preventative measure against skin cancer. The SunSmart Global UV app provides a five-day UV and weather forecast. 

It notifies users when sun protection is needed and aims to help inform people around the world about the importance of UV protection in an effort to reduce cancer cases and UV-related eye damage. 

“Evidence shows that overexposure to UV is the major cause of skin cancer. So it’s vital for people to know when and how to protect themselves,” Dr. Maria Neira, director of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) department of environment, climate change and health, told PersonalCareInsights. 

”We encourage everyone to use the application to protect themselves and their children, and to make this a daily habit.”

Edited by Mieke Meintjes

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