Over 100 Incidents or Injuries Reported Since Dry Shampoo Mass Recall: Health Canada

Health Canada has issued a recall some lots of Bed Head TIGI, Dove, and Tresemmé dry shampoo products due to detection of benzene. (Health Canada Handout)

More than 100 incidents or injuries have been reported to Health Canada ever since the agency recalled over 1.5 million dry shampoo products due to the detection of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical.

The recall, announced on Oct. 18 by the health agency, covered certain batches of Bed Head TIGI, Dove, and Tresemmé dry shampoo products that are packaged in aerosol cans, and distributed by consumer goods giant Unilever Canada Inc.

Unilever Canada issued a statement that same day saying that the recalled products “were distributed nationwide in Canada through retail outlets and online.”

Health Canada said the affected products, manufactured in the United States, were sold in Canada from January 2020 to October 2022.

In an email statement to The Epoch Times on Nov. 2, Health Canada said it has received over 100 reports of incidents or injuries related to the products since the recall, with “irritation or allergic reaction” being one of the main injury types reported.

“Please note that not all reports include injuries; some reports only relate to questions about the recall,” the email said.

The government’s official site to “report an incident involving a consumer product or cosmetic” includes the reporting of defective or damaged products, issues with product labelling or instruction, as well as injury or death.

“Due to reports still incoming, the total number of reports and the analysis of types of injury are ongoing,” said Health Canada in the email.

“Health Canada understands that consumers may have used these products in the past and recognize the challenges for consumers in knowing whether they are impacted by the recalled products.”

In the statement on Oct. 18, Unilever Canada said an internal investigation identified the propellant as the source for “potentially elevated levels of benzene,” and it has started working with the propellant suppliers to address the issue.

“Unilever Canada is recalling these products out of an abundance of caution,” the company said.

This is not the first time Health Canada has recalled products with presence of benzene. According to its records, there were at least 12 recalls related to the same issue since 2021.