If you use aerosol spray antiperspirants or deodorants, you should check to see if the one you use is part of a voluntary recall issued by P&G.
A citizen petitioned the FDA last month, claiming that more than half of the batches of antiperspirant and deodorant sprays they tested contained benzene, a chemical that can cause cancer. Here is what you need to know.
Why are they being recalled?
Valisure, a company that checks the chemical composition of medications and healthcare products, conducted a series of tests on antiperspirants. They found that out of the total of108 batches of products tested, 59 had levels of benzene that exceeded the FDA's 2 parts per million limit.
The FDA said that benzene shouldn't be used to make health products because it is a class one solvent with unacceptable toxicity. The agency relaxed its restrictions on the chemical after the Pandemic and set a limit on the amount of liquid hand sanitizers that can be used.
Which products are part of the recall?
According to CNN, P&G is the only company to issue a recall for its products containing benzene, and it covers 17 types of Old Spice and Secret antiperspirant.
The full list of products tested by Valisure and found to contain more than 2 parts per million of benzene can be found on the company's petition to the FDA. Products from other brands include Tag, Sure, Suave, Right Guard, Summer's Eve, Right Guard, Power Stick, Soft & Dri, and Victoria's Secret.
If you have purchased any of the Old Spice or Secret products, the company will tell you to throw them out and contact their customer care team from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. To learn how to be reimbursed for eligible products.
