Unilever issues product recall for over 1.5M dry shampoos due to “cancer-causing” chemical

24 Oct 2022 --- Certain lots of Bed Head, Dove and Tresemmé dry shampoo aerosol products produced prior to October 2021 have been recalled by Unilever Canada due to potentially elevated levels of harmful benzene. The company reported 1,574,426 units of the affected product were sold in Canada between January 2020 and October 2022.

Unilever US has also issued a recall of its Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head) and Tresemmé dry shampoos. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and to date, no reports of adverse events relating to this recall have been found.

“Unilever does not use benzene as an ingredient and has strict quality controls in place to limit trace amounts that could occur due to its natural presence in certain raw materials. An internal investigation identified the propellant as the source, and Unilever has worked with its propellant suppliers to address this issue,” Unilever Canada tells PersonalCareInsights.

“We took immediate action when the industry became aware of trace amounts of benzene coming from the propellant that sprays products out of cans. We have worked with our suppliers and partners to strengthen our already stringent safety protocols to include testing of raw materials.”

Health Canada has advised consumers to “immediately stop using the recalled product and dispose of it in accordance with the instructions for disposal on the packaging.” Consumers are also eligible for reimbursement from the company.Dove, Nexxus, Suave, Rockaholic, Bed Head and TRESemmé dry shampoo aerosols have been recalled in the US.

“Abundance of caution”
Unilever says its voluntary dry shampoo recall in the US and Canada is merely a cautionary measure.

“An independent health hazard evaluation concluded that the levels of benzene detected do not pose a health risk,” the company said.

The company also published a complete list of the affected products for the US as well as for Canada.

Cancer-causing chemical
The FDA describes benzene as a chemical released into the air from automobile emissions and burning coal and oil. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “benzene works by causing cells not to function correctly. For example, it can cause bone marrow not to produce enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia.”

“Also, it can damage the immune system by changing blood levels of antibodies and causing the loss of white blood cells,” the agency details.

Further, CDC explains that the seriousness of poisoning caused by benzene depends on the amount, route and length of exposure, as well as the exposed person’s age and pre-existing medical conditions.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has determined that benzene causes cancer in humans. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia – cancer of the blood-forming organs.

The FDA had previously alerted manufacturers regarding benzene contamination and recalled hand sanitizers and other aerosols. In 2022, Antica Ocean Citron hand sanitizer; Banana Boat hair and scalp sunscreen spray; Disney-branded the Mandalorian hand sanitizer; Suave 24-hour protection aerosol antiperspirants and numerous Sure and Brut aerosol deodorant and antiperspirant sprays were also taken off the market due to benzene detection.

By Radhika Sikaria

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