Banana Boat Sunscreen Recall Expanded Over Cancer-Causing Chemical

Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen. (Courtesy of Edgewell Personal Care via FDA)

Edgewell Personal Care Co. has expanded the nationwide voluntary recall of its Banana Boat sunscreens because some samples were found to have unexpected levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical.

In a recall notice issued on Jan. 30, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the company’s recall now includes four batches of the Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30.

On Jan. 27, the company, which initially issued the recall in July 2022, voluntarily added one additional lot to the original recall that involved three batches.

The lot code of the latest recalled product is 20301CF. The codes of the previously recalled products, which are found on the bottom of the can, are 20016AF, 20084BF, and 21139AF.

“While benzene is not an ingredient in any Banana Boat products, the review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can,” according to the company’s original recall announcement that was issued on July 29, 2022, and updated on Jan. 27.

“Importantly, no other batches of Hair & Scalp (either before or after these batch codes) 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,” the announcement reads.

According to the FDA, people can be exposed to benzene via inhalation, orally, or through the skin. The chemical can potentially result in cancers, including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow, as well as blood disorders, which can be life-threatening.

“To date, Edgewell has not received any adverse events related to this recall. Benzene is ubiquitous in the environment,” the company stated.

“Humans around the world have daily exposures to it indoors and outdoors from multiple sources. Daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences according to an independent health assessment using established exposure modeling guidelines,” it continued.

Edgewell said its sunscreen sprays, which are packaged in aerosol cans, were distributed nationwide through various retailers and online. The company has notified retailers to remove the recalled products from shelves.

The company also said that consumers who purchased any of the recalled products will be offered reimbursement by Banana Boat.

From NTD News