- Johnson & Johnson recalls five of its sunscreen products after finding low levels of benzene.
- Aveeno Protect + Refresh Spray Sunscreen has been recalled in all sizes and levels.
- Four Neutrogena sun products have been recalled by Johnson & Johnson.
Johnson & Johnson is voluntarily recalling five of its sunscreen products after low levels of benzene, a chemical that can cause cancer on repeated exposure, was found in samples.
The company announced the recall on Wednesday and advised consumers to stop using the products.
The affected products, which were sold in spray cans, are Aveeno Protect + Refresh Spray Sunscreen and four versions of Neutrogena Sunscreen: Beach Defense Spray Sunscreen, CoolDry Sport Spray Sunscreen, Cream Invisible Daily Defense Spray Sunscreen and UltraSheer Spray Sunscreen.
The recall includes all box sizes and all levels of sun protection factor, or SPF, according to the notice posted on the Food & Drug Administration website. The products were distributed nationwide by retailers.
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The recall comes after a May report from Valisure, a Connecticut-based pharmacy and online lab, found dozens of popular sunscreen products were tainted with benzene.
Valisure tested and analyzed 294 unique lots from 69 different companies and found that 78 sunscreens and after-sun care products contained the chemical.
The company’s citizen petition called on the FDA to recall 40 sun protection and after-sun products containing higher levels of benzene. Brands include Neutrogena, Sun Bum, CVS Health, and Fruit of the Earth.
PIRG’s U.S. Education Fund consumer watchdog Teresa Murray said in a statement the recall should have taken place earlier.
“We’re a month and a half after the big Memorial Day Beach Weekend that kicks off summer unofficially,” Murray said. “How many consumers nationwide have unknowingly used sunscreen that could cause cancer?”
Johnson & Johnson investigates benzene in sunscreen
Benzene is a highly flammable and widely used chemical that is present throughout the environment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can cause cancer on repeated exposure to high enough levels, damage the immune system, and prevent cells from functioning properly.
The effects of the chemical vary depending on whether a person accidentally inhales or ingests it, or puts it on skin and clothing. Symptoms range from dizziness and irregular heartbeat to seizures and, at very high levels, death.
“Although benzene is not an ingredient in any of our sunscreen products, it has been detected in some samples of the impacted aerosolized finished sunscreen products,” Johnson & Johnson said in a statement. “We are investigating the cause of this problem, which is limited to certain aerosol sunscreen products.”
Neutrogena sunscreen recall
The health giant said in a statement that “the use of these products should not have adverse health consequences” and that it has voluntarily decided to recall them “out of caution”.
The statement added that people should use other sunscreen to protect themselves from cancerous melanoma of the skin.
A list of affected Neutrogena products along with lot numbers and expiration dates are posted on Neutrogena.com and posted on pages 2 to 23 with Aveeno products on the first page.
The products are:
- Neutrogena Beach Defense Spray Sunscreen
- Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport Aerosol Sunscreen
- Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Spray Sunscreen
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Aerosol Sunscreen
Customers can obtain a refund by calling the J&J Consumer Support Center at 1-800-458-1673.
Aveeno Spray Sunscreen Recall
Aveeno Protect + Refresh Aerosol Sunscreen is the only Aveeno product included in the recall with eight types affected.
Learn more at Aveeno.com/sunscreen-recall. Recalled lot numbers and expiration dates are displayed here and Aveeno products are on the front page.
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Contribution: Associated Press; Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY
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