Some Old Spice and Secret deodorants recalled after cancer-causing chemical is detected

By Jackie Wattles, CNN Business

Procter & Gamble Co. issued a recall for more than a dozen Old Spice and Secret-branded aerosol deodorants and sprays, warning that the products could contain benzene, a cancer-causing agent.

The recall notice, published earlier this week, noted that the affected products likely will not expose people to levels of benzene high enough to cause health issues. The company added it has not “received any reports of adverse events,” but it’s moving forward with the recall out of “an abundance of caution.”

“Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it can result in cancers, including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life-threatening,” the recall notice said.

P&G wants people who purchased the affected products — which were sold in stores across the United States, as well as online — to throw them away, and the company is offering full refunds. Customers can fill out an online form or contact a hotline at 888-339-7689 Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm ET.

Retailers have been told to remove the products from shelves.

The recall includes the following products with an expiration date before September 2023:

• Old Spice High Endurance AP Spray Pure Sport
• Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Invisible Spray Stronger Swagger
• Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Invisible Spray Pure Sport Plus
• Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Invisible Spray Stronger Swagger
• Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Invisible Spray Ultimate Captain
• Old Spice Below Deck Powder Spray Unscented
• Old Spice Below Deck Powder Spray Fresh Air
• Secret Aerosol Powder Fresh Twin Pack
• Secret Aerosol Powder Fresh
• Secret Aerosol Powder Fresh
• Secret Fresh Collection Invisible Spray Waterlily
• Secret Fresh Collection Invisible Spray Lavender
• Secret Fresh Collection Invisible Spray Light Essentials
• Secret Fresh Collection Invisible Spray Rose
• Secret Outlast Invisible Spray Completely Clean
• Secret Outlast Invisible Spray Protecting Powder
• Old Spice Pure Sport 2021 Gift Set

This isn’t the first benzene-related recall of 2021. In July, Johnson & Johnson recalled some spray-on Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens after it detected low levels of the carcinogen in the products.

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