Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Voluntarily Recalled Nationwide Due to Benzene Exposure Risk

This week, the FDA announced that Edgewell Personal Care Company had further expanded its voluntary recall of 3 batches of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 across the US.

Trace amounts of the carcinogen had been detected after a review of the product and—while benzene is not included in Banana Boat products—the levels were found in the propellant that helps the product to be sprayed from a can.

“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,” FDA officials wrote.

The announcement follows last year’s voluntary recall of aerosol products from Unilever—including products from brands such as Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI and TRESemmé—due to benzene risk.

People can be exposed to benzene through oral contact, inhalation, or even through the skin, and it can eventually lead to conditions such as leukemia or blood cancer.

The FDA noted that Edgewell has not had any adverse events related to the voluntary recall to date, adding that the carcinogen is found throughout the environment with daily exposure in many parts of the world.

They also added that daily benzene exposure in the aerosol products recalled by Edgewell would likely not lead to adverse effects, citing an independent assessment of health designed with exposure modeling guidelines.

“The products were distributed nationwide in the United States through various retailers and online,” FDA officials wrote. “Edgewell has notified its retailers to remove any remaining recalled product from shelves. Banana Boat will also offer reimbursement for consumers who have purchased a product marked with one of the lot codes in the table above.”

For more information, view the full FDA press release.