Edgewell, the manufacturer of sunscreen brand Banana Boat, has voluntarily recalled three batches of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 from shelves in the US.
The move follows an internal review showing that some samples of the products contained trace levels of benzene.
While not an ingredient in any Banana Boat products, the unexpected levels of benzene were attributed to the propellant that sprays the aerosol sunscreen out of the can.
Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, with exposure (either via inhalation, orally or through the skin) potentially resulting in cancers such as leukaemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow, as well as blood disorders that can be life threatening.
The recalls affect 6oz batches of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 of lot codes 20016AF (expiration December 2022); 20084BF (expiration February 2023); and 21139AF (expiration April 2024).
Edgewell has not, to date, received any adverse events related to this recall, but consumers are advised to check the lot code located on the bottom of their can, cease using any affected product immediately and to appropriately discard.
Consumers will also be reimbursed, said the brand owner.
Benzene contamination resulting from propellant has been the cause of several recalls from various brands in recent years.
In 2022 alone, May saw Nivea and Sun Bum both pull sunscreen skus from Australia and New Zealand as the result of contamination.
Several lots of Sure and Brut antiperspirant products sold in the US and Canada were withdrawn for the same reason in February this year.