'Banana Boat' Sunscreen Sprays SPF 50+ (aerosol sunscreen)

Edgewell Personal Care Australia Pty Ltd is recalling all batches of the following 'Banana Boat' sunscreen sprays (aerosol sunscreen) because benzene has been detected in 4 batches of the products supplied in Australia.

The three products being recalled are:

• Banana Boat Ultra Very High Protection Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+, AUST L 206508
• Banana Boat Simply Protect Kids Very High Protection Sunscreen Lotion Spray SPF 50+, AUST L 311003
• Banana Boat Dry Balance Very High Protection Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+, AUST L 342636.

What should I do?

All batches with an expiry date of 31st January 2024 or earlier should not be used due to possible health risks linked to benzene.

Consumers should visit the Banana Boat website to request a refund then discard the products.

All unsold product of the affected batches will be removed from the market.

What is benzene and what are the risks?

Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, a substance that could potentially cause cancer depending on the level and extent of exposure. Benzene is not an ingredient in sunscreens but is suspected to be a contaminant from raw materials used in the product manufacture. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is working with sponsors to investigate the source of benzene.

The levels of benzene must be below 2 parts per million (ppm) in sunscreen products that are regulated as listed medicines in Australia. We use a very conservative approach to set limits for benzene and similar chemicals. They are calculated to ensure that an individuals' excess cancer risk would not exceed 1 in 100,000 if that individual used the maximum recommended amount of the product every day of the year for 70 years.

The TGA laboratories recently completed product testing, which detected benzene at concentrations between 2.3 ppm and 5.2 ppm in four batches of the above products supplied in Australia. Exposure to benzene in these sunscreen products, at the levels detected, would not be expected to cause serious adverse health effects. However, to reduce the risk to consumers, Edgewell Personal Care is recalling all batches of the affected products supplied within Australia.

If you have any concerns or questions about this issue, speak to your health professional or contact the Edgewell Personal Care Consumer Service team (Free Call) on 1800 761 186.

Reporting problems

Consumers and health professionals are encouraged to report any problems or side effects with therapeutic goods. Your report will contribute to the TGA's monitoring of these products.

The TGA cannot give advice about an individual's medical condition. You are strongly encouraged to talk with a health professional if you are concerned about a possible adverse event associated with a therapeutic good.