Buzz
In July 2022, Edgewell Personal Care issued a voluntary recall for one of its Banana Boat spray sunscreens after an internal review revealed three batches contained traces of benzene. The recall has since been expanded to include another batch of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen after the harmful chemical was once again detected.
Although the sunscreen doesn’t list benzene as an ingredient, the company’s review showed that “unexpected levels of benzene were released from the propellant used to spray the product,” according to a statement from the Food and Drug Administration.
Which sunscreen brands are affected by benzene contamination?
The latest recall has expanded the number of affected batches to four. The full product name is 'Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30', sold in six-ounce aerosol cans that were distributed nationwide through various retailers and online. Below is a picture of the product. The UPC for all recalled items is 0-79656-04041-8, and each can is marked with one of the following lot codes and expiration dates on the bottom:
20016AF; Dec. 2022
20084BF; Feb. 2023
21139AF; April 2024
20301CF; Sept. 2023
What are the health impacts of benzene exposure?
Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Benzene is also present in the environment, and people are exposed to it daily through various sources.
The recall notes that an independent study concluded that daily exposure to benzene from the recalled products “would not be expected to result in adverse health effects.” The company has not reported any instances of “adverse reactions” related to the affected products.
What actions should you take with your recalled Banana Boat sunscreen?
The company will offer a full refund to consumers who purchased products with the lot codes mentioned above. The FDA advises consumers to immediately stop using the aerosol cans and dispose of them.
If you have any questions, you can contact Edgewell Personal Care at 1-888-686-3988 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or visit their product website.
If you experience any adverse reactions from the product, the FDA suggests reporting it through their MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program, either online, by regular mail, or by fax. If you're concerned about exposure to benzene, the FDA advises consulting your physician or healthcare provider.
Is it still safe to use sunscreen?
It’s important to remember that despite these recent recalls, which may seem concerning, sunscreen remains widely recommended to lower the risk of skin cancer and other sun-related damage. The issue lies not with sunscreen itself, but with product contamination.
