A Neutrogena sunscreen spray is being recalled in Australia after the discovery of the chemical benzene in some batches.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said consumers should not use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+ with an expiry date of August 30, 2023, or earlier.
It said people who had the sunscreen should discard it and visit the Neutrogena website to request a refund.
Benzene is a chemical that is known to cause some cancers.
The TGA said benzene was not an ingredient in the Neutrogena sunscreen, but the chemical was sometimes used in medicine manufacturing processes.
Neutrogena, which is owned by Johnson & Johnson, said it was recalling the sunscreen "out of an abundance of caution".
"Internal testing identified low levels of benzene in a small number of samples. Exposure to benzene in this sunscreen product at the levels detected would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences," Neutrogena said on its website.
The TGA said in Australia solvent medical products, which include sunscreens, must have a concentration of benzene below 2 parts per million (ppm).
It said the Johnson & Johnson's product testing detected benzene at concentrations less than 3ppm in two of the 17 batches supplied in Australia.
Several sunscreens recalled in US
Last month Johnson & Johnson recalled five sunscreen products in the United States after internal testing identified low levels of benzene in some batches.
The sunscreens recalled included four Neutrogena products — Beach Defense, Cool Dry Sport, Invisible Daily Defense and Ultra Sheer — as well as Aveeno's Protect + Refresh.
The recall in the US came two months after online pharmacy Valisure filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), saying it had found levels of benzene that were higher than recommended in more than a dozen products that provided protection or relief against sunburns, including sprays and lotions.
ABC with wires
