P&G voluntarily recalls products for benzene content that can possibly cause cancer

Procter & Gamble announced on Friday, Dec. 17, that it had issued a voluntary recall for some of its products. The affected items are hair care brands that were sold nationwide in the United States via retail outlets and online.

As per Reuters, Procter & Gamble issued the recall after the discovery of benzene, a carcinogen or cancer-causing chemical, in some of the products that include shampoos and dry conditioners.

The presence of the said chemical is risky to the consumers because exposure to it through inhalation, the skin, or orally, can lead to certain cancers such as leukemia, blood cancer of the bone marrow, and other blood-related diseases that can be life-threatening.

P&G mentioned some Herbal Essences and Pantene products in addition to some of the discontinued variations of Old Spice and Hair Food brands. The latest recall also affects some Water and Aussie items. It is fortunate that the American consumer goods company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, has not received any reports of unfavorable incidents yet related to the recall.

“Following recent reports that indicated traces of benzene in some aerosol spray products, we began a review of our total portfolio of aerosol products,” P&G stated in a press release that was published on Friday. “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.”

Procter & Gamble said that nothing is more important for the company than the safety of the consumers and the quality of all the products they sell and distribute. The company also clarified that other Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Hair Food, and Waterl<ss products that are not on the list of the recall are safe and may be continuously used as intended.

“The vast majority of our products are not part of this recall, including mousses, hairsprays, liquid shampoos, liquid conditioners, styling products, treatments, and unaffected aerosol dry shampoo sprays,” the company added.

Meanwhile, USA Today mentioned that the recall affects over 30 Proctor & Gamble aerosol products. Customers may check out the complete list of items at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recall notice.