Heading outdoors and preparing to slip, slop and slap? Check your sunscreen first – Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray has been recalled after traces of chemical benzene were found.
A popular choice for mums due to the easy spray application, Johnson & Johnson Pty Ltd has issued an urgent recall of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+ because benzene has been detected in some batches supplied in Australia.
The affected batches have an expiry date of August 30, 2023 or earlier and should not be used due to possible health risks linked to benzene.
The Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) recall notice has all the details you require.
What you need to know at a glance
The product details: Aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+, AUST L 202301 is being recalled.
Problem: The chemical benzene has been detected in some batches of this aerosol sunscreen which have been supplied to Australian retailers.
What is the safety hazard: Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, a substance that could potentially cause cancer depending on the level and extent of exposure. It is not an ingredient in this product but is sometimes used in medicine manufacturing processes.
The TGA has limits on these types of solvents and benzene must be below a concentration of 2 parts per million (ppm) in medicines. This includes sunscreen products that are listed as medicines in Australia.
Do not panic: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc product testing detected benzene at concentrations less than 3 ppm in 2 of the 17 batches supplied in Australia. Exposure to benzene in this sunscreen product, at the levels detected, would not be expected to cause serious adverse health effects. To reduce the risk to consumers, Johnson & Johnson Pacific Pty Ltd is recalling all batches of the affected product supplied within Australia.
What to do: If you have a can of this particular sunscreen with expiry date of 30th of August 2023 or earlier, stop using it and throw it out. Head on over to Neutrogena for a refund.
Never miss a product recall again
At Mum Central, we know how important it is to keep our kids safe. This is why we try to alert our readers when a product fails to comply with safety standards. Please have a read through our product safety recalls for other products that have recently been recalled including bikes, cots, bassinets and prams.
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