Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30 recall: Due to presence of benzene

Recall published 3+ years ago

Due to presence of benzene

Banana Boat Prescription & OTC drugs — recalled prescription & otc drugsBanana Boat Prescription & OTC drugs — recalled prescription & otc drugs (photo 2)
2 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Harmful chemical exposure

A chemical contaminant is behind this recall. The official notice names the substance, and that name is what a clinician or Poison Control will want to hear.

What the notice says: Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it potentially can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life threatening.

Why it matters: A chemical that should not be present at this level was found in the product. Depending on the substance, the concern may be a burn or irritation on contact, or a long-term risk from repeated exposure.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

For a splash or spill, rinse the skin or eyes with running water for 15 to 20 minutes and remove contaminated clothing. If the product was swallowed, or if there is any trouble breathing, call Poison Control on 1-800-222-1222, which operates free and around the clock — or 911 if the person is collapsing, struggling to breathe or unconscious. Take the container or a photo of the label with you to any appointment.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
January 27, 2023
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Banana Boat
Product type
Prescription & OTC drugs
Distribution
Nationwide
UPC codes
079656040418

Products covered by this recall

Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30

What the company announced

In the news release dated July 29, 2022, and titled, “Edgewell Personal Care Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Due to the Presence of Benzene,” one additional lot code ("20301CF") has been added to the recall. The modified announcement follows:

SHELTON, Conn., January 27, 2023 – Edgewell Personal Care Company (NYSE: EPC) today expanded its voluntary nationwide recall of three batches of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 to the consumer level as outlined in the table below. One additional batch has been added to the original recall announced on July 29, 2022.

A review found that some samples of the product contained trace levels of benzene. While benzene is not an ingredient in any Banana Boat products, the review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can.

Importantly, no other batches of Hair & Scalp (either before or after these batch codes) and no other Banana Boat products are in the scope of this recall and may continue to be used by consumers safely and as intended.

  • UPC: 0-79656-04041-8 · DESCRIPTION: Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30 · Lot Code: 20016AF · Expiration: December 2022 · Size: 6 oz
  • UPC: 0-79656-04041-8 · DESCRIPTION: Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30 · Lot Code: 20084BF · Expiration: February 2023 · Size: 6 oz
  • UPC: 0-79656-04041-8 · DESCRIPTION: Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30 · Lot Code: 21139AF · Expiration: April 2024 · Size: 6 oz
  • UPC: 0-79656-04041-8 · DESCRIPTION: Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30 · Lot Code: 20301CF · Expiration: September 2023 · Size: 6 oz

Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it potentially can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life threatening. To date, Edgewell has not received any adverse events related to this recall. Benzene is ubiquitous in the environment. Humans around the world have daily exposures to it indoors and outdoors from multiple sources. Daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences according to an independent health assessment using established exposure modeling guidelines.

The voluntarily recalled sunscreen spray products are packaged in aerosol cans. The products were distributed nationwide in the United States through various retailers and online. Edgewell has notified its retailers to remove any remaining recalled product from shelves. Banana Boat will also offer reimbursement for consumers who have purchased a product marked with one of the lot codes in the table above. Lot codes are located on the bottom of the can. Consumers should stop using the affected product immediately and appropriately discard.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall may contact Edgewell Personal Care at 1-888-686-3988 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Consumers may also visit www.bananaboat.com for more information and to learn how to receive reimbursement for eligible products. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have any questions, concerns or have experienced any problems related to using these aerosol sunscreen products.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

About Edgewell

Edgewell is a leading pure-play consumer products company with an attractive, diversified portfolio of established brand names including Schick® and Wilkinson Sword® men's shaving products; Schick® and Billie® women's shaving products; Edge® and Skintimate® shave preparations; Playtex®, Stayfree®, Carefree® and o.b.® feminine care products; Banana Boat® and Hawaiian Tropic® sun care products; Bulldog®, Jack Black® and Cremo® grooming products; Fieldtrip™ skin care products; and Wet Ones® hygiene products. The Company has a broad global footprint and operates in more than 50 markets, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Japan, the U.K. and Australia, with approximately 6,500 employees worldwide.

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Original Press Release

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 10 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 079656040418

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • 20016AF
  • 20084BF
  • 21139AF
  • 20301CF

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • December 2022
  • February 2023
  • April 2024
  • September 2023

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 6 oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Chemical

Banana Boat — A chemical contaminant is behind this recall. The official notice names the substance, and that name is what a clinician or Poison Control will want to hear.

  1. Stop using the product and keep it away from children and pets.
  2. Do not pour it down a drain or into a bin without checking local hazardous-waste rules, and never mix it with another cleaner.
  3. Ventilate the room if the product was sprayed or applied there.
  4. Keep the container — the lot code on it is what a refund claim and any medical follow-up both depend on.

Claiming your refund, repair or replacement

The recalling company decides the remedy and funds it. You should never pay for a recall repair or for return shipping.

  • Use the company contact on this page first. Most firms run a dedicated recall page with a claim form that is far quicker than their main support line.
  • If the company stops responding, escalate to the CPSC. Firms under a recall order have reporting duties to the agency.
  • Have the model number, the date code and your photos ready. Many companies issue store credit by default — ask for cash or a card reversal if you would rather have it.
  • No receipt? Say so. Recall refunds are routinely paid without proof of purchase, because the hazard is what triggers the obligation.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers should stop using the affected product immediately and appropriately discard.

Company contact: Edgewell Personal Care — Consumers: 1-888-686-3988 — Media: [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Banana Boat prescription & otc drugs recalled?

Due to presence of benzene Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it potentially can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life threatening.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 079656040418; lot code 20016AF, 20084BF, 21139AF; best-by date December 2022 or February 2023. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop using the product and keep it away from children and pets.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers should stop using the affected product immediately and appropriately discard.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide.

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