The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IOur severity:SevereFDA (Drugs)·D-0845-2021·Announced 2021-10-06

Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray Recalled for Benzene Contamination

Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. is recalling Neutrogena Beach Defense water+sun protection sunscreen spray (SPF 60+) in 8.5 oz aerosol cans due to the presence of benzene contamination.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Drugs): Class I

Class I is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: This is an FDA Class I recall for a drug product with a serious hazard (benzene contamination, a known carcinogen). Per the severity rubric, FDA Class I recalls with hazardous chemical contamination meet the Severe (4) threshold, and the presence of a carcinogenic chemical without reported illness to date does not elevate it to Critical (5).

Plain-English summary

Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. is recalling Neutrogena Beach Defense water+sun protection sunscreen spray BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 60+ in 8.5 oz (240 g) aerosol cans. The product contains the active ingredients Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), and Octocrylene (10%).

The recall is due to chemical contamination: the presence of benzene in the product. Benzene is a volatile organic compound classified as a carcinogen.

The affected product was distributed nationwide in the United States. The recalled batch has lot code 06320E26 with an expiration date of 1/2023. Approximately 387,648 cans are involved in this recall. The UPC is 0 86800 11255 6.

Consumers who have purchased this product should stop using it immediately. Consumers with questions may contact Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. at the address provided on the package or through the FDA's drug safety website.

The recalled product

Product
Neutrogena Beach Defense water+sun protection sunscreen spray BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 60+, Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (10%) NET WT. 8.5 OZ. (240 g) aerosol can, Distributed by: JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER, INC. Skillman, NJ 08858, UPC 0 86800…
Manufacturer
Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc.
Category
Drug — Topical / Sunscreen
Hazard
Affected units
387,648

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (2)

  • 06320E26
  • exp 1/2023

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 20 recalled by Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. under a single FDA (Drugs) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 20 products in this recall →

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