Edgewell Personal Care, which owns Banana Boat, issued the voluntary nationwide recall on Friday for products in three batches of SPF 30 hair and scalp sunscreen that were found to contain the carcinogen, according to the FDA. “Consumers should stop using the affected product immediately and dispose of it properly,” officials said. The lot codes — located on the bottom of the cans — from the three recalled lots are 20016AF, 20084BF and 21139AF, with expiration dates of December 2022, February 2023 and April 2024. All of the recalled spray cans are 6 ounces. “No other Banana Boat products are within the scope of this recall and may continue to be used by consumers safely and as intended,” the FDA said. Benzene is not an ingredient in any Banana Boat products, but is part of the propellant that sprays the sunscreen out of the can, the FDA said. Retailers were told to remove the products from shelves. The sunscreen had been sold online and in stores. “Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin,” the administration said, “and can potentially lead to cancers, including leukemia and blood cancers of the bone marrow and blood disorders, which can be life-threatening.” Low levels of benzene can be found in products such as plastics and detergents, as well as at gas stations and in the air through cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Benzene causes cells to malfunction and can damage the immune system. “The severity of poisoning caused by benzene depends on the amount, route, and duration of exposure,” the CDC said, “as well as the age and preexisting medical conditions of the exposed individual.” Humans are exposed to trace amounts of benzene in their environment. No adverse reactions associated with Banana Boat sunscreens have been reported, but consumers should contact their healthcare providers if they experience problems, according to the FDA “We know you love our products, and we are conducting this recall out of an abundance of caution,” Banana Boat said on its website. Similar benzene-related recalls have been made in the past. Johnson & Johnson issued a recall for some Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreen sprays last year after testing found low levels of benzene. Banana Boat will offer compensation to purchasers of these products. For more information, consumers can visit the Banana Boat website or call 1-888-686-3988.
