STATEMENT: Procter & Gamble’s hair product recall is the eighth recall this year involving benzene and sprays

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Isabel Brown

Company says some recalled products had ‘unexpected levels of benzene,’ a carcinogen

PHILADELPHIA — Procter & Gamble Co’s voluntary recall of more than 30 aerosol hair care products is the eighth benzene-related spray product recall announced this year by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Others from different manufacturers involved products such as body sprays, sunscreens and foot sprays. The common thread is all were recalled over concerns about benzene in samples of some of the products.

Procter & Gamble’s recall, announced Friday, came after an internal review showed “unexpected levels of benzene” — which can cause cancer — in some samples. The products included dry conditioner spray products and aerosol dry shampoo spray products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Waterl

Last month, the pharmaceutical testing company Valisure issued a warning about problems with benzene in antiperspirant body sprays. Valisure sent a 20-page petition to the FDA asking it to recall or issue guidance on certain aerosol antiperspirants because of significant levels of benzene. Products by Old Spice and Secret were among them. Less than a month ago, Procter & Gamble issued a voluntary recall of Old Spice and Secret aerosol spray antiperspirants because of the presence of benzene.

In response, Isabel Brown, Consumer Watchdog associate at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, said:

“The U.S. Food & Drug Administration needs to do better. Eight major recalls this year involving products we spray on or around our bodies is alarming. We’ve known it’s a problem. Tests for benzene should happen before, not after, products end up on store shelves and in the hands of consumers.

“These are products that people use every day, and the health risks increase with prolonged use. Whether it’s an ingredient that the manufacturer adds or not, the fact is that a known carcinogen keeps showing up in aerosol products. This can’t happen again.

“The FDA has classified benzene as a dangerous chemical but has not clarified the legal limits on detectable levels in products such as hair sprays. For everyday consumer products, the only acceptable level should be zero.”

The seven recalls announced previously this year were:

  • 04/28/2021: Ulta Beauty Collection & SS Scented Hand Sanitizer 

    • Specific lots of Scentsational Soaps & Candles scented Hand Sanitizers from the Black and White Collection and Photo Real Collection (3.38-ounce), and Ulta Beauty Collection scented Hand Sanitizer Spray (3.4-ounce) were recalled due to the presence of methanol (wood alcohol), benzene and acetaldehyde.

  • 05/13/2021: Goose Creek, COCO TKO Hand Sanitizer

    • Scentsational Soaps & Candles extended the previous recall to include specific lots of Goose Creek Hand Sanitizer with Aloe (3.38-ounce) and COCO TKO Hand Sanitizer (3.4-ounce) due to the presence of methanol (wood alcohol), benzene and acetaldehyde.

  • 07/14/2021: Neutrogena, Aveeno Sunscreen

    • Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Invisible Daily defense aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer aerosol sunscreen and Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen due to the presence of benzene in some samples.

  • 09/30/2021: Coppertone Aerosol Sunscreen Products

    • Coppertone, owned by Beiersdorf, voluntarily recalled specific lots of Coppertone P&S Baby SPF50 Spray (5-ounce), Coppertone P&S Kids SPF50 Spray (5-ounce), Coppertone Sport Min SPF50 Spray (5-ounce), Coppertone P&S SPF50 Spray (5-ounce) and Coppertone Sport Spray SPF50 (1.6-ounce) due to the presence of benzene.

  • 10/01/2021: Lotrimin AF and Tinactin Over the Counter Antifungal Spray Products

    • Bayer voluntarily recalled all unexpired Lotrimin AF and Tinactin antifungal spray products due to the presence of benzene in some samples. In the recall announcement, the company said, “Benzene is not an ingredient in any of Bayer Consumer Health products.” ​​The affected products had lot numbers beginning with TN, CV or NAA.

  • 11/17/2021: Oder Eaters spray products

    • Odor-Eaters, owned by Blistex Inc., voluntarily recalled 41 lots of Odor-Eaters Spray Powder and Odor-Eaters Stink Stoppers Spray due to the presence of benzene.

  • 11/23/2021: Old Spice, Secret Aerosol Sprays

    • The Procter & Gamble Co. voluntarily recalled specific Old Spice and Secret aerosol spray antiperspirants and Old Spice Below Deck aerosol spray products due to the presence of benzene.

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 Product images and lot information about the most recent Procter & Gamble recall is available on www.pantene.comwww.aussie.comwww.herbalessences.comwww.hairfood.comwww.oldspice.com and www.waterlesshaircare.com.

The company said adverse reactions or problems stemming from these products may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

Procter & Gamble said the affected products are:

  • Waterl

  • Waterl

  • Waterl

  • Waterl

  • Pantene Sultry Bronde All in One Luxury Mist, 4.9-ounce

  • Pantene Smooth Talker Dry Conditioning Oil, 3.9-ounce

  • Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9-ounce

  • Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 1-ounce

  • Pantene Gold Series Instant Nourishing Spray, 4.9-ounce

  • Aussie Smooth Vibes Dry Conditioner, 4.9-ounce

  • Aussie Petal Soft Dry Conditioner, 4.9-ounce

  • Aussie Sleekend Warrior Dry Conditioner, 4.9-ounce

  • Herbal Essences Blue Ginger Refresh Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 1.7-ounce

  • Pantene Dry Shampoo No Water Refresh, 4.9-ounce

  • Pantene Dry Shampoo Sheer Volume, 4.9-ounce

  • Pantene Never Tell Dry Shampoo, 4.2-ounce

  • Aussie After Hours Dry Shampoo Texture Spray, 4.9-ounce

  • Aussie Tousle Hustle Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Aussie Bounce Back Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Aussie Clean Color Protect Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Aussie Clean Texture Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Aussie Clean Volume Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Waterl

  • Waterl

  • Hair Food Coconut Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Old Spice Fiji Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

  • Old Spice Pure Sport Dry Shampoo, 4.9-ounce

 

 

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