Coppertone Recalls Sunscreen Products found to contain Benzene

Coppertone recalls five aerosol sunscreens sold by retailers nationwide after finding the cancer-causing chemical benzene in some batches of the products. The company also advises consumers to stop using the affected products, which were made between January 10, 2021, and June 15, 2021.

The Coppertone recall involves 12 lots of Pure & Simple SPF 50, Pure & Simple Kinds SPF 50, Pure & Simply Baby SPF 50, Sport Mineral SPF 50, travel-size Coppertone and Sport Spray SPF 50. The company has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall, the brand, owned by Hamburg, Germany-based manufacturer Beiersdorf.

According to the recall notice classified as a human carcinogen, benzene can increase a person’s risk of developing leukaemia and other cancers, as well as potentially life-threatening blood disorders. That is used in manufacturing, benzene is present throughout the environment and can cause cancer with repeated exposure.Johnson & Johnson in July recalled five of its sunscreen products found to contain benzene. Traces of the chemical were also found in dozens of popular sunscreen and after-sun products in tests conducted by Valisure earlier in the summer. The online pharmacy and lab also found elevated levels of benzene in more than 20 hand sanitisers earlier in the year.

According to the announcement, Bayer issued the recall as a precautionary measure noting that the benzene levels in these products aren’t likely to cause health problems. The recall covers all lots of Tinactin and Lotrimin AF sprays that start with certain lot numbers.