J&J recalls Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens after traces of carcinogen found

By Becky Bargh | Published: 16-Jul-2021

The five aerosol sprays containing the cancer-causing ingredient have been pulled from retailers

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.

At the time of publication in May, Valisure urged the FDA to better define limits for benzene contamination in drug and cosmetic products.

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