Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. has recalled five NEUTROGENA and AVEENO aerosol sunscreen products because they could have benzene in them.
Benzene is a human carcinogen that could potentially cause cancer depending on the level of exposure. The chemical was found in low levels in some samples of the products, and Johnson & Johnson has recalled them voluntarily.
The products are:
* NEUTROGENA Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen
* NEUTROGENA Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen
* NEUTROGENA Invisible Daily defense aerosol sunscreen
* NEUTROGENA Ultra Sheer aerosol sunscreen
* AVEENO Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen
All of the products are in aerosol cans.
Benzene is not an ingredient in the products, so the company is investigating how it came to be in the samples. Out of an abundance of caution, it issued the recall. It advises consumers to stop using them and throw them out. Consumers can contact its Consumer Care Centre with questions or request a refund at 1-800-458-1673.
Adverse reactions are not anticipated with the level of benzene detected, but anyone who experiences an issue can report it to the US Food and Drug Administration's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by calling 1-800-332-1088.