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USA | Jul 15, 2021

J&J recalls sunscreens after cancer-causing chemicals found in Neutrogena, Aveeno brand sprays

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FILE PHOTO: The logo of healthcare company Johnson & Johnson is seen in front of an office building in Zug, Switzerland July 20, 2016. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

(Reuters)

Johnson & Johnson is voluntarily recalling five Neutrogena and Aveeno brand aerosol sunscreen products after detecting a cancer-causing chemical in some samples.

The New Jersey-based company said on Wednesday (July 15) that consumers should stop using the products and discard them, after internal testing identified low levels of benzene in some samples.

J&J is also notifying distributors and retailers to stop selling the products and arranging for their return “out of an abundance of caution”.

Benzene is classified as a substance that could potentially cause cancer depending on the level and extent of exposure.

J&J said benzene is not an ingredient in its sunscreen products and it is investigating the cause of the contamination.

“Daily exposure to benzene in these aerosol sunscreen products at the levels detected in our testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences,” the company said.

The recalled aerosol sunscreens are Neutrogena Beach Defense, Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport, Neutrogena Invisible Daily defense, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer and Aveeno Protect + Refresh.

Among the recalled products in the Neutrogena sunscreen line, is the popular ‘Beach Defense’; listed as ‘out-of-stock’ on the company’s website. (Photo: neutrogena.com)

The recall is another blow for J&J, one of the world’s largest producers of consumer health products. The company already faces billions of dollars of potential court losses and settlements from damages claims related to its baby powder, vaginal mesh implants and opioid painkillers.

J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout has also been hampered by production problems and the shot has been linked to two very rare side effects: Guillain-Barré Syndrome and a potentially life threatening blood clotting condition.

US regulators have said that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh the risks.

J&J is in contact with other regulatory agencies over the sunscreen recall, a company spokesperson said, adding that Wednesday’s announcement was specific to the voluntarily action taken in the United States.

Sunscreens have come under the scrutiny of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past. In 2019, the agency listed some harmful ingredients used in sunscreens and proposed some changes.

The company’s shares were marginally down at US$169.40.

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