Johnson & Johnson is recalling most of its Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreens from U.S. stores.
The recall comes after the detection of Benzene, a known carcinogen, in the sun sunscreen samples.
Research has found a possible link between benzene and various types of cancer, including:
- Leukemia
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
On July 14, Johnson & Johnson said that consumers should stop using five of its six Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreens.
The company said that people should dispose of the products and the distributors and retailers should cease selling them. The recalled sunscreen products are Neutrogena beach defense, Neutrogena cool dry sport, Neutrogena invisible daily, Neutrogena ultra-sheer, and Aveeno protect and refresh aerosol.
Johnson & Johnson stated that they were recalling these out of an abundance of caution because the majority of these were specific aerosol sunscreen products. It is continuing the sale of one other spray sunscreen that was not affected: Neutrogena wet skin.
Valisure LLC, is an online pharmacy that found high levels of benzene in 24 other sunscreens and other sun care products from Johnson & Johnson.
Valisure’s CEO stated that Johnson & Johnson’s internal testing confirms that the benzene contamination is very high in several of their sunscreen products.
Johnson & Johnson is currently facing thousands of other lawsuits, including talcum powder and mesothelioma. According to consumer health, their total sales were $14.1 billion last year. The cost for the recall is will be difficult to determine.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/15/business/j-and-j-suncreen-recall-benzene/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/14/us/johnson-johnson-sunscreen-recall-aveeno-neutrogena.html