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Back in July 2022, Edgewell Personal Care announced a voluntary recall for one of its Banana Boat spray sunscreens after an internal review found that three batches of the product contained traces of benzene. Now, the company has expanded the recall to include another batch of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen after again discovering the carcinogenic chemical in the product.
The sunscreen does not contain benzene as an ingredient, but the company’s review found, “unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can,” according to a release from the Food and Drug Administration.
Which sunscreen bottles contain benzene?
The latest recall brings the number of affected batches to four. The full product name is “Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30” and is sold in six-ounce aerosol spray cans that were distributed nationwide through many retail stores and online. Here is a picture of the product. The UPC for all recalled products is 0-79656-04041-8, with one of the following lot codes and expiration dates printed on the bottom of the can:
- 20016AF; Dec. 2022
- 20084BF; Feb. 2023
- 21139AF; April 2024
- 20301CF; Sept. 2023
What are the effects of benzene?
Benzene is a human carcinogen. You can be exposed to it through inhalation, orally, and through the skin. Benzene can also be found in the environment, and people are exposed to it daily, from many different sources.
The recall claims an independent study found that daily exposure to benzene from the recalled products, “would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences.” The company has not received notice of any “adverse effects” related to the recalled products.
What should you do with your recalled Banana Boat sunscreen?
The company will fully reimburse consumers who bought products with the lot codes listed above. The FDA warns consumers to stop using the aerosol cans immediately and discard them.
If you have questions, you can reach Edgewell Personal Care at 1-888-686-3988 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or go to their product website.
If you have adverse reactions from the product, the FDA recommends reporting it to their FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program, either online, by regular mail, or by fax. If you have questions about being exposed to benzene, the FDA recommends you contact your physician or healthcare provider.
Is sunscreen still safe to use?
It’s important to note that despite these recent, potentially alarming recalls, sunscreen is still generally recommended to reduce your risk of skin cancer and other sun damage. It’s not a sunscreen problem, but a product contamination problem.
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