Edgewell Personal Care Voluntary Recalls Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen as it Contains Benzene

Edgewell Personal Care Company (NYSE: EPC) recalls three batches of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30. The consumer-level recall is being initiated because testing has revealed the possible presence of benzene in certain lots of the affected product.

Samples of the product taken during an internal review revealed that it contained traces of benzene. Unexpected levels of benzene showed up in the propellant used to spray the product out of the can.

Apart from the affected products, no other batches of Hair & Scalp and no other Banana Boat products are being recalled. Consumers may continue using them safely and as intended.

The affected products and their codes are as follows:

Benzene is a known human carcinogen, and its presence in the affected product poses a serious health risk.

Exposure to benzene can cause leukemia, a blood cancer of the bone marrow, and other life-threatening blood disorders. A person can get exposed to benzene through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption.

Humans are exposed to benzene around the world from both natural and human-made sources. Sources of exposure to benzene in the U.S. include smoking tobacco, breathing polluted air, and contact with some consumer products such as glues, paints, detergents, oils, gasoline, and other hydrocarbon-containing fuels.

According to an independent health assessment, exposure to benzene from this product is not expected to cause any adverse health effects using established exposure modeling guidelines. Edgewell has not received any reports of adverse events related to this issue to date.

The affected sunscreen spays are packaged in aerosol spray cans. They were distributed through retailers nationwide in the U.S.

Edgewell is notifying the retailers to remove the products from store shelves. Consumers should immediately stop using these affected products and contact Edgewell for a refund or replacement product. The codes are indicated at the bottom of the can.

Consumers with questions may call Edgewell Personal Care at 1-888-686-3988 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. They can also visit www.bananaboat.com for more information and to receive reimbursement.

Consumers who have experienced any adverse effect from using these products are encouraged to contact their physician or healthcare provider immediately.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, or by fax.

• Complete and submit the report Online
• Regular Mail or Fax: Download the form or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return it to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.