J&J recalls Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens after traces of carcinogen found
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By Becky Bargh 16-Jul-2021
Regulatory
The five aerosol sprays containing the cancer-causing ingredient have been pulled from retailers
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Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has voluntarily recalled five aerosol sunscreens in the US after traces of benzene, a known cancer-causing carcinogen, were detected.
The contaminated products, Neutrogena’s Beach Defense, Cool Dry Sport, Invisible Daily and Ultra Sheer, and Aveeno’s Protect + Refresh products have been pulled from retailers, while distributors have been notified.
Customers have been told to stop using the products and discard them.
In a statement, J&J said that benzene is not an ingredient used in its sunscreens and that it is investigating the contamination.
The recall comes months after Valisure, a US-based laboratory, reported that it had detected high levels of benzene in several brands and batches of sunscreen.
Almost 30% (27%) of samples tested contained detectable benzene, with some holding three times the restricted FDA concentration limit.
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At the time of publication in May, Valisure urged the FDA to better define limits for benzene contamination in drug and cosmetic products.