UNCLASSIFIED

1 

UNCLASSIFIED

DSCP-FTW January 31, 2023 

ALFOODACT 2023-005 

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

SUBJECT: Edgewell Personal Care Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp 

Sunscreen Due to the Presence of Benzene – UPDATED

1. REFERENCE: DHA-MSR 6025.01/AR 40-660/ DLAR 6025.01/NAVSUPINST 10110.8D/AFI 48-

161_IP/MCO 10110.38D, DOD Hazardous Food & Nonprescription Drug Recall System, 6 September 

2018. 

2. COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT: In the news release dated July 29, 2022, and titled, “Edgewell 

Personal Care Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Due to the 

Presence of Benzene,” one additional lot code ("20301CF") has been added to the recall. The modified 

announcement follows: 

SHELTON, Conn., January 27, 2023 – Edgewell Personal Care Company (NYSE: EPC) today expanded 

its voluntary nationwide recall of three batches of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 to 

the consumer level as outlined in the table below. One additional batch has been added to the original 

recall announced on July 29, 2022. (Ref. ALFOODACT 2022-026, dated 30 July 2022) 

A review found that some samples of the product contained trace levels of benzene. While benzene is not 

an ingredient in any Banana Boat products, the review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came 

from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can. 

Importantly, no other batches of Hair & Scalp (either before or after these batch codes) and no other 

Banana Boat products are in the scope of this recall and may continue to be used by consumers safely and 

as intended.

Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and 

through the skin and it potentially can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone 

marrow and blood disorders which can be life threatening. To date, Edgewell has not received any 

adverse events related to this recall. Benzene is ubiquitous in the environment. Humans around the world 

have daily exposures to it indoors and outdoors from multiple sources. Daily exposure to benzene in the 

recalled products would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences according to an 

independent health assessment using established exposure modeling guidelines. 

The voluntarily recalled sunscreen spray products are packaged in aerosol cans. The products were 

distributed nationwide in the United States through various retailers and online. Edgewell has notified its 

retailers to remove any remaining recalled product from shelves. Banana Boat will also offer 

reimbursement for consumers who have purchased a product marked with one of the lot codes in the table 
UNCLASSIFIED

2 

UNCLASSIFIED

above. Lot codes are located on the bottom of the can. Consumers should stop using the affected product 

immediately and appropriately discard.

3. PRODUCTS AFFECTED: 

UPC DESCRIPTION LOT CODE EXPIRATION SIZE

0-79656-04041-8 Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30 20016AF December 2022 6 oz

0-79656-04041-8 Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30 20084BF February 2023 6 oz

0-79656-04041-8 Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30 21139AF April 2024 6 oz

0-79656-04041-8 Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30 20301CF September 2023 6 oz

**Immediately discontinue use/sale of products and place on medical hold. Contact your supplier for disposition instructions. 

4. PRODUCT LABELS/PICTURES: 

 
UNCLASSIFIED

3 

UNCLASSIFIED

5. CONTACT INFORMATION. Consumers with questions regarding this recall may contact Edgewell 

Personal Care at 1-888-686-3988 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Consumers may also visit www.bananaboat.comExternal Link Disclaimer for more information and to 

learn how to receive reimbursement for eligible products. Consumers should contact their physician or 

healthcare provider if they have any questions, concerns or have experienced any problems related to 

using these aerosol sunscreen products.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the 

FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax. 

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

• Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-

1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed 

form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178 

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

6. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE FINDINGS.

a. Army Veterinary Services and Air Force Public Health Personnel: Report negative and 

positive findings in the Veterinary Service Information Management System (VSIMS) Subsistence 

Recalls application. If you are not in one of these two groups, please use the instructions below 

(paragraphs b-d). 

b. Navy: 

1) SHIPS AT SEA: Must report positive and negative findings to supporting Veterinary 

Service unit. Are authorized to destroy or dispose of recalled products utilizing the procedures and 

reporting requirements outlined in NAVSUP P-486 Paragraph 5302 and 6000(4), to include 

completion of a DD Form 200 and Standard Form 364. Procedures for completing the DD Form 200 are 

found in NAVSUP P-486 Paragraph 6001. Procedures for completing Standard Form 364 are found in 

NAVSUP P-486 Paragraph 5300(2)(c). 

2) SHIPS IN PORT/HOMEPORTED/ASHORE GALLEYS: Supporting Veterinary 

Service unit will conduct inspection and report positive and negative findings in VSIMS Subsistence 

Recalls application. Contact the appropriate DLA Account Manager via Regional NAVSUP Fleet 

Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) to arrange pickup of recall items. Contact your supporting (NAVSUP 

FLC) for any issues regarding PV Pickup. Proceed with the same guidance in the paragraph above. 

c. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Contractors: Report positive and negative findings to 

your Contracting Officer, Contracting Specialist, TVLS, and dscpconssafofc@dla.mil within 72-hours. 

Positive Response Information required: (Vendor must provide all the following information):

1) ALFOODACT 2021-XXX 

2) DLA Contract Number:

3) Unit of Measure:

4) Quantity Currently in Stock: 

5) List of customers that received product AND (a-h) for each customer:

a) Customer name and location: 

b) DLA Purchase Order Number:
UNCLASSIFIED

4 

UNCLASSIFIED

c) Vendor Invoice Number: 

d) Item Stock number (LSN, NSN): 

e) Quantity Shipped: 

f) Date Shipped: 

g) Value of Affected Product:

h) Amount of credit due: 

d. AAFES, MWR, NEX, MCCS, DeCA, DLA, dining facilities, and all other agencies, report your 

findings in accordance with the procedures outlined by your agency. 

7. If you know of others who need to receive Subsistence Recall messages, click Subscribe. If you no 

longer need to receive Subsistence Recall messages, click Unsubscribe. 

8. Previous recalls are available on the DLA-TS Food Safety Office website: 

https://www.dla.mil/TroopSupport/Subsistence/FoodSafety/fso/ALFOODACT/. 

9. Point of contact for ALFOODACT messages is the undersigned at commercial telephone 215-737-

2678/DSN: 312-444-2678, or dscpconssafofc@dla.mil. 

 

MARIVIC J. BROWN

Chief Warrant Officer Four, U.S. Army 

Consumer Safety Officer