RECALL: Popular sunscreen pulled over cancer-causing chemical contamination
Johnson & Johnson has begun a recall of their popular Neutrogena aerosol sunscreen, after cancer-causing chemicals were found in some samples.
Batches of the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+ with the expiry date of 30th August 2023 or earlier have been flagged by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), as customers are being warned of possible health risks linked to benzene.
Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, a substance that has the potential to cause cancer depending on the length and severity of exposure.
The chemical is not an ingredient of the product, but is often used in the manufacturing process.
The Neutrogena sunscreen is sold at a various Australian retailers, including Chemist Warehouse, Coles and Woolworths.
“Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc product testing detected benzene at concentrations less than 3 ppm in 2 of the 17 batches supplied in Australia,” the TGA explained in a statement on Monday.
“Exposure to benzene in this sunscreen product, at the levels detected, would not be expected to cause serious adverse health effects, but to reduce the risk to consumers, Johnson & Johnson Pacific Pty Ltd is recalling all batches of the affected product supplied within Australia.”
Consumers of the product are being urged to contact their GP or healthcare provider if they are concerned, or experience any issues relating to the product in question.
The recall comes less than a month after Johnson & Johnson pulled other Neutrogena and Aveeno brand aerosol sunscreen products from their US markets over similar concerns of benzene contamination.