Dry shampoo recall: Over 100 injuries reported in Canada so far – National | Globalnews.ca

Health Canada has received more than 100 reports of injuries related to dry shampoo products that were recalled last month due to the detection of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical.

Unilever and Health Canada announced the recall on Oct. 18, which affected more than 1.5 million units of dry shampoos made by Dove, Bed Head and TRESemmé. They were sold nationwide between January 2020 and October 2022.

As of Oct. 31, the main injuries reported were irritation or allergic reactions, Health Canada spokesperson Tammy Jarbeau told Global News on Monday.

“Due to the reports still being received, the total number of reports and the analysis of injury types is ongoing,” she said in an emailed statement.

“Health Canada understands that consumers may have used these products in the past and recognizes the challenges for consumers in knowing if they are affected by the recalled products.”

This isn’t the first time benzene has been detected in personal care products, such as dry shampoos, deodorants and aerosol sunscreens in Canada, prompting a massive safety recall.

In the past two years, at least 12 recalls have been linked to aerosol products and high levels of benzene, according to Health Canada records.

In announcing its recall, Unilever Canada said an internal investigation had identified the aerosol propellant as the source of “potentially high levels of benzene” in several batches of dry shampoos.

Unilever Canada said it does not use benzene as an ingredient in its products and the recall was issued “out of an abundance of caution”.

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Unilever’s dry shampoo recall was not limited to Canada. In the United States, products from Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head) and TRESemmé were also recalled last month.

Benzene is a carcinogen, and exposure to the chemical by inhalation or absorption, through the mouth or through the skin, can lead to leukemia, bone marrow blood cancer and life-threatening blood disorders, according to Health. Canada.

However, “daily exposure to benzene in recalled products at levels detected in testing is not expected to result in adverse health consequences,” the agency said.

Health Canada is advising Canadians who are concerned about their health after using the recalled products to speak with their healthcare provider.

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