Suave 24-Hour antiperspirant recalled over elevated levels of cancer-causing ingredient

Home*Cover Story*News

Suave 24-Hour antiperspirant recalled over elevated levels of cancer-causing ingredient

Unilever, the manufacturer of Suave brand products, issued a voluntary recall of two of the brand’s deodorants yesterday. The products are being recalled due to the “presence of slightly elevated levels of benzene,” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Two Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirants are included in the recall: Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant Powder and Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant Fresh. The recall includes all Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant Powder and Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant Fresh products with an expiration date through September 2023. The FDA also explains that “no other Unilever or Suave products are in the scope of this recall.”

Anybody in possession of these products should discontinue use and discard products immediately. Appropriate benzene product disposal varies by state, according to Valisure, but it is generally advised to consult your local hazardous waste collection program.

A Unilever review of the affected products revealed the presence of benzene in some product samples, which was attributed to the propellant that sprays the product from the can rather than the product ingredients themselves.

Benzene is “classified as a human carcinogen,” or cancer-causing ingredient, according to the FDA. Benzene can enter the human body orally, topically, or by inhalation and can cause various forms of cancer. The FDA has previously established an acceptable level of Benzene in drug products at 2 ppm, and products above this threshold are not suitable for distribution.

Thankfully, product review reveals that “daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products at the levels detected” is not expected to cause negative health effects. But, it is still best to stop use and dispose of the affected deodorants immediately.

The recalled items were previously in limited distribution due to the discontinuation of the line in October 2021 for “business reasons.” All retailers have nonetheless been alerted to remove the recalled items from shelves immediately.

No word yet on the status of these products locally.

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 0
DISQUS: 0