Examining the Details Behind Unilever's Voluntary Recall of Dry Shampoo Products
In late 2022, consumer goods giant Unilever voluntarily issued recalls for several popular dry shampoo brands and products. Trace amounts of the industrial chemical benzene were detected, prompting removal from store shelves and consumer homes.
What Is Benzene and Why Does It Pose a Risk?
Benzene is a common solvent used primarily in manufacturing industries. It can be naturally found in crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke as well. Exposure risk mainly applies to industrial workers.
The Department of Health classifies benzene as a human carcinogen known to potentially contribute to cancers like leukemia. Unilever stated the recall was issued out of an abundance of caution based on an independent health hazard evaluation.
Unilever's List of Recalled Dry Shampoo Brands
Several popular dry shampoo brands sold globally across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America were affected. Brands recalled due to the benzene detection include:
- Dove
- Nexxus
- Suave
- Bed Head
- Tigi
- TRESemm
The aerosol dry shampoos sold under these brands were determined to potentially have low levels of benzene contamination. No other hair care products by Unilever were named under the recall.
Instructions for Consumers to Check Product Recall Details
Consumers can visit Unilever's website for the related dry shampoo recall to input the batch code printed on their products. This allows users to instantly check if what they purchased specifically is subject to recall.
Currently, products produced prior to October 2021 are named within the recall notice. Unilever stated they have worked with suppliers to remedy the issue on batches made after that timeframe.
If you have an affected dry shampoo product in your possession, you should:
- Immediately stop using it
- Follow instructions to receive reimbursement
- Dispose of the item safely per disposal agency guidelines
Unilever stated that prolonged exposure to significant concentrations of benzene could potentially increase cancer risks. But the levels detected in tested products were minor.
Ongoing Investigation Into How Benzene Contamination Occurred
With Unilever manufacturing hundreds of haircare, skincare, and other personal products across dozens of brands globally - it remains unclear precisely what allowed benzene to be present in select dry shampoo aerosol cans.
The company noted that the propellant used in their aerosol dry shampoos - propane and butane - were not the source. Contamination seemingly occurred prior to final product assembly somewhere further up the supply chain.
Supplier Audit Findings
Unilever relayed that based on an audit of their supplier network, the potential root causes may include:
- Cross-contamination with other co-manufacturers sharing production lines
- Raw material purity issues
- Production equipment cleaning fluid residue
They continue to actively investigate to determine where and how benzene ended up mixed into batches of propellant, despite no formulas calling for the ingredient.
Refining Controls and Production Protocols
As part of their internal review and updated procedures, Unilever has instituted the following to avoid similar issues in the future:
- Enhanced testing, monitoring and sampling for impurities
- Increased traceability requirements of materials handled by suppliers
- Conducting additional quality assurance reviews on critical equipment
By honing their audit processes, requiring documentation of ingredient handling by vendors, and continually checking the production ecosystem - they aim to prevent toxic contaminants from accidentally entering products meant for human use and consumption.
The Rise of Dry Shampoo and Its Place in Hair Care
Although traditionally used for decades by hair stylists to add volume between washes, dry shampoos saw mainstream popularity surge around 2010. Their convenience and hair refreshing ability greatly appealed to mainstream consumers.
Understanding How Dry Shampoos Work
These waterless shampoos act almost like tiny sponges to soak up dirt, oil, product buildup and odors from hair and the scalp surface. Common active ingredients in dry shampoos include:
- Starches - absorb oil like rice, corn, oat flour, etc.
- Aluminum starch octenylsuccinates - oil absorbing modified starches
- Silica - tiny microbeads also absorb grease and dirt
- Fragrance - masks odors from hair and scalp
Spray-on dry shampoos quickly eliminate the need for full wash days when hair gets overly greasy, sweaty, or dirty between regular shampooing sessions. This makes them hugely popular despite some formulation drawbacks.
Potential Issues With Heavy Dry Shampoo Use
When utilized too frequently without ever washing out, some downsides of long-term dry shampoo buildup may include:
- Coating and clogging hair follicles over time
- Inflaming sensitive scalps leading to itching or irritation
- Weakening hair integrity as bonds become coated
- Thinning hair gradually as follicles struggle to function
Users still benefit from traditional shampooing about twice a week to rinse away any developing residue. Seeking lighter, non-aerosol dry shampoo options can also reduce risks.
The Future of Safe Dry Shampoo Production
While exposure risk was low, Unilever made the correct decision to issue a widespread recall upon detecting benzene in their popular dry shampoo products.
Consumer safety must remain the number one priority - even when it results in significant costs, supply chain losses, and brand reputation damage. Strict quality controls and production oversight are the key safeguards allowing multi-billion dollar brands to operate responsibly worldwide.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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