Carcinogens In 32 MA Products: FDA Announces Dry Shampoo Recall

MASSACHUSETTS — A voluntary product recall was issued for aerosol dry conditioner and shampoo spray products from a variety of brands that were distributed in Massachusetts and shipped nationwide, federal officials announced.

Benzene, which is classified as a human carcinogen, was found in some aerosol products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Old Spice, Hair Food and Waterless, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration said in a statement Friday.

Traces of benzene were found in 32 products. Exposure to the carcinogen, which can be inhaled orally or absorbed through the skin, can cause cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders that can be life-threatening, the FDA said.

Proctor & Gamble Co. issued the voluntary product recall Friday and urged consumers to seek reimbursement for the affected products. Meanwhile, retailers in Massachusetts and across the U.S. were alerted to remove the listed sprays from their shelves.

Massachusetts residents who bought any of the affected sprays are urged to stop using them and discard them immediately.

Adverse reactions or quality problems can be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

"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," Proctor & Gamble Co. said, adding that no other products from the listed brands were included in the recall.

The following products were identified in the voluntary recall:

1. Waterless Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, 3.6 oz.
2. Waterless Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, 3.6 oz.
3. Waterless Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, .98 oz.
4. Waterless Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, .98 oz.
5. Pantene Sultry Bronde All in One Luxury Mist, 4.9 oz.
6. Pantene Smooth Talker Dry Conditioning Oil, 3.9 oz.
7. Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9 oz.
8. Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9 oz.
9. Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 1.0 oz.
10. Pantene Gold Series Instant Nourishing Spray, 4.9 oz.
11. Aussie Smooth Vibes Dry Conditioner, 4.9 oz.
12. Aussie Petal Soft Dry Conditioner, 4.9 oz.
13. Aussie Sleekend Warrior Dry Conditioner, 4.9 oz.
14. Herbal Essences Blue Ginger Refresh Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
15. Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
16. Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
17. Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
18. Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 1.7 oz.
19. Pantene Dry Shampoo No Water Refresh, 4.9 oz.
20. Pantene Dry Shampoo Sheer Volume, 4.9 oz.
21. Pantene Never Tell Dry Shampoo, 4.2 oz.
22. Aussie After Hours Dry Shampoo Texture Spray, 4.9 oz.
23. Aussie Tousle Hustle Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
24. Aussie Bounce Back Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
25. Aussie Clean Color Protect Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
26. Aussie Clean Texture Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
27. Aussie Clean Volume Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
28. Waterless Dry Shampoo No Residue, 3.7 oz.
29. Waterless Dry Shampoo No Residue, 1 oz.
30. Hair Food Coconut Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
31. Old Spice Fiji Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.
32. Old Spice Pure Sport Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz.