Johnson & Johnson recalls sunscreen after discovering carcinogens in some sprays Reuters

Authors: Manas Mishra and Michael Erman

(Reuters)-Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled five Neutrogena and Aveeno brand aerosol sunscreen products from the United States after detecting carcinogenic chemicals in some samples.

The New Jersey-based company said on Wednesday that after internal tests found low levels of benzene in certain sprays, consumers should stop using these products and discard them.

A few months ago, Valisure, an online pharmacy, filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), stating that it found several products (including sprays and lotions) that provide protection or relief from sunburn contained high levels of benzene At the recommended level.

CVS Health (NYSE:) said on Thursday that it also stopped selling two sunburn treatment products.

Based on the level and degree of exposure, benzene is classified as a substance that may cause cancer.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:) shares fell 1%. The company said that benzene is not an ingredient in its sunscreen products and is investigating the cause of the contamination.

The company said: “Daily exposure to the benzene in these aerosol sunscreen products reaches the level detected in our tests and is not expected to cause adverse health effects.”

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

A Johnson & Johnson spokesperson said the company is in contact with other regulators regarding the recall, adding that Wednesday’s announcement is for voluntary actions taken in the United States.

The recall is another blow to Johnson & Johnson, which is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of consumer health products. The company is already facing a series of lawsuits related to its talc products, vaginal mesh implants and opioid painkillers.

Sunscreens have been reviewed by the FDA in the past. The agency regulates them as cosmetics and has proposed a rule requiring sunscreen manufacturers to provide additional information about the active ingredients in their products.

“The FDA will evaluate and evaluate the information provided in these citizen petitions, and usually initiate an independent testing and verification process,” said FDA spokesperson Jeremy Kahn (Jeremy Kahn).

Kahn said the FDA will work with manufacturers to prevent their tests from causing any safety issues.

Valisure has submitted several petitions to the FDA regarding the presence of carcinogens in drugs, including the diabetes treatment metformin, which was subsequently recalled by the FDA.