Procter & Gamble has announced a voluntary recall of some shampoos and conditioners sold in the U.S. and Canada because of the presence of a cancer-causing chemical.
The company decided to recall 32 haircare products after detecting "unexpected levels" of benzene, a human carcinogen, P&G said in a statement.
The consumer giant wrote: "Following recent reports that indicated traces of benzene in some aerosol spray products, we began a review of our total portfolio of aerosol products. While benzene is not an ingredient in any of our products, our review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can.
"We detected benzene in aerosol dry shampoo spray products and aerosol dry conditioner spray products. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the consumers who use our products and the quality of the products we ship."
P&G stressed that it has yet to receive any reports of adverse events related to the products and that it is conducting the recall out of "an abundance of caution."
The products in question were distributed across the U.S. through physical stores and online, and retailers have been informed to remove them from stock.
Reimbursements are available to customers who have purchased any of the affected products. People who have the aerosol shampoos and conditioners are advised to immediately stop using them and to appropriately dispose of them.
P&G told Newsweek the recall followed "a review of our total portfolio of aerosol products" after its "manufacturing partner identified an issue."
The company said: "While benzene is not an ingredient in any of our products, our review showed that benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can.
"We detected unexpected levels of benzene in aerosol dry shampoo sprays and aerosol dry conditioner sprays. Daily exposure to the level of benzene detected would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences.
"In light of these findings, and out of an abundance of caution, we have issued a voluntary recall at the consumer level of aerosol dry shampoo sprays and aerosol dry conditioner sprays from Pantene, Herbal Essences, Aussie and Waterl<ss, in addition to dry shampoos that were previously discontinued by Old Spice and Hair Food.
"The majority of our portfolio - mousses, hairsprays, liquid shampoos, liquid conditioners, styling products and treatments - including other Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Hair Food, and Waterl<ss products are not included in the scope of this recall and may continue to be used as intended."
Procter & Gamble has released the names, Universal Product Code (UPC) and production code range of every product affected in the recall.
P&G Conditioner Products Recalled
1. Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, 3.6oz. in the range of 0002-0248 or 9298-9350 (37000543954)
2. Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, 3.6oz. in the range of 0009-0069 or 9297-9350 (37000543831)
3. Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, .98oz. in the range of 0084-0085 or 9284-9361 (37000544111)
4. Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, .98oz. in the range of 0017-0100 or 9283-9284 (37000544227)
5. Pantene Sultry Bronde All in One Luxury Mist, 4.9oz. 0038 (80878188710)
6. Pantene Smooth Talker Dry Conditioning Oil, 3.9oz. in the range of 0183-0365 or 1042-1046 (80878192397)
7. Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9oz. in the range of 0048-0336 or 1008-1218 or 9247-9349 (80878190898)
8. Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9oz. in the range of 9108-9303 (80878188758)
9. Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 1.0oz. in the range of 0107-0262 or 9112-9288 (80878188765)
10. Pantene Gold Series Instant Nourishing Spray, 4.9oz. in the range of 0307 or 9263-9266 (80878188987)
11. Aussie Smooth Vibes Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz. 0021 or 1038 or in the range of 9294-9325 (381519187957)
12. Aussie Petal Soft Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz. in the range of 9196-9246 (381519187544)
13. Aussie Sleekend Warrior Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz. in the range of 0014-0062 or 9198-9349 (381519187537)
P&G Shampoo Products Recalled
1. Herbal Essences Blue Ginger Refresh Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. in the range of 9047-9072 (190679001498)
2. Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. in the range of 0015-0314 or 1004-1019 or 9028-9348 (190679000262)
3. Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. in the range of 0167-0308 or 1105-1106 or 9049-9348 (190679000255)
4. Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. 0093 or 1075 or in the range of 9029-9294 (190679000248)
5. Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 1.7oz. in the range of 0036-0329 or 1019-1098 or 9023-9312 (190679000330)
6. Pantene Dry Shampoo No Water Refresh, 4.9oz. in the range of 9009-9058 (80878177042)
7. Pantene Dry Shampoo Sheer Volume, 4.9oz. in the range of 9025-9260 (80878185276)
8. Pantene Never Tell Dry Shampoo, 4.2oz. in the range of 0006-0364 or 1074-1133 or 9157-9329 (80878188727)
9. Aussie After Hours Dry Shampoo Texture Spray, 4.9oz. in the range of 0139-0140 (381519187834)
10. Aussie Tousle Hustle Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. in the range of 0013-0300 or 1038 or 9189 (381519187285)
11. Aussie Bounce Back Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. in the range of 0013-00357 or 1018-1123 or 9189-9345 (381519187278)
12. Aussie Clean Color Protect Shampoo, 4.9oz. in the range of 9047-9123 (381519187360)
13. Aussie Clean Texture Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. in the range of 9072-9176 (381519187285)
14. Aussie Clean Volume Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. 9085 (381519187278)
15. Waterl<ss Dry Shampoo No Residue, 3.7oz. in the range of 0004-0357 or 9291-9344 (37000543787)
16. Waterl<ss Dry Shampoo No Residue, 1oz. in the range of 0175-0176 or 9295-9297 (37000543978)
17. Hair Food Coconut Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. in the range of 0027-0192 or 9007 (37000876717)
18. Old Spice Fiji Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. in the range of 9046-9228 (37000779421)
19. Old Spice Pure Sport Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. in the range of 9040-9239 (37000785170)
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