Over 1.5M dry shampoo products recalled in Canada over cancer risk

Thousands of Unilever hair products have been recalled across Canada due to the detection of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical.

Health Canada issued the recall Tuesday for more than 1.5 million dry shampoo products manufactured by Dove, Bed Head and Tresemmé that were sold in the country between January 2020 and October 2022.

As of Oct. 7, no incidents or injuries had been reported from the affected products, which are packaged in aerosol cans, according to the agency.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and dispose of it in accordance with the instructions for disposal on the packaging,” Health Canada said.

Unilever Canada said an internal investigation identified the aerosol propellant as the source for “potentially elevated levels of benzene” in several lots of dry shampoo products.

It added in a statement Tuesday that it has worked with its propellant suppliers to address the issue.

“Unilever Canada is recalling these products out of an abundance of caution,” the distributor said.

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The affected products were produced before October 2021, Unilever said.

The recall is not only limited to Canada. In the United States, dry shampoo products by Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head), and TRESemmé have also been recalled.

Unilever said people who have bought the affected products will receive a refund or reimbursement.

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

Unilever Canada said it does not use benzene as an ingredient in its products.

“We took immediate action when the industry became aware of trace amounts of benzene coming from the propellant that sprays products out of cans,” a spokesperson for the company told Global News in an email Thursday.

“We have worked with our suppliers and partners to strengthen our already stringent safety protocols to include testing of raw materials.”

Canada.ca has a list of all the dry shampoo products recalled.