Edgewell Personal Care warns of benzene presence in new Banana Boat batch code recall

01 Feb 2023 --- Edgewell Personal Care has modified the announcement to recall its Banana Boat hair and scalp sunscreen spray SPF 30 with an additional lot of products that have been found to be laced with benzene – a carcinogen. The voluntary nationwide recall follows the July 29 recall in 2022 and now includes three batches of the sunscreen.

While benzene is not an ingredient in any Banana Boat products, a review showed that unexpected levels of benzene or “trace levels” came from the aerosol’s release mechanism from products with the lot code 20301CF.

No other batches of hair and scalp products from the range – either before or after these batch codes – or other Banana Boat products are in the scope of this recall and may be used by consumers safely and as intended.

Trace elements of benzene
Lot codes are located on the bottom of the can. Consumers are urged to stop using the affected product immediately and discard it appropriately.

In 2022, an internal analysis revealed that tiny quantities of benzene were found in various batches of the product. The company voluntarily recalled different batches of its sunscreen spray SPF 30 “as a precaution.”

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 benzene exposure can occur through inhalation, oral ingestion or skin contact.

Exposure to diseaseEdgewell’s recall now includes three batches of sunscreen.
Edgewell’s recent recall announcement reminds consumers of the harms that benzene can cause, which can be life-threatening. 

Edgewell alleges it has not received any adverse events related to this recall. 

Benzene can be found in many places in the environment. People are exposed to it daily, indoors and outdoors. According to an independent health assessment conducted by the company, daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products should not cause adverse health consequences. 

The assessment used established exposure modeling guidelines.

Moreover, the voluntarily recalled sunscreen spray products are packaged in aerosol cans. The products were distributed in the US through various in-store and online retailers. 

Edgewell has notified its retailers to remove any remaining recalled products from shelves. Meanwhile, Banana Boat will reimburse consumers of the identified lots.

In 2021, Edgewell Personal Care Australia recalled three Banana Boat SPF50+ sprays after they were found to contain benzene. The recall came the same day the Australian Department of Health’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a cautionary warning against aerosol sunscreens with carcinogenic ingredients. 

Edited by Inga de Jong