Sunscreen Recall: Almost 950,000 Products Recalled Nationwide and in Canada

Spring is close, and last week came some unseasonably balmy temperatures in parts of the Midwest. If you applied sunscreen for a day at the park—or perhaps dropped some in your luggage for spring break vacation—there’s a brand that experts have issued a warning about that might call for a replacement before sunny days are here to stay.

One recognizable sunscreen brand—made by an equally recognizable maker—is under recall for questions related to its formulation, even though it’s marketed for its low-chemical ingredients.

Last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall for 942,964 total units of Kids by babyganics “totally tropical” sunscreen products distributed both nationwide in the U.S. and in Canada.

A familiar manufacturer is listed as the recalling firm on the FDA’s enforcement report: Johnson, S C and Son, Inc, in Racine, WI. The SC Johnson website lists several names the company has gone by over the years. Despite the similar names, SC Johnson is not the same company as Johnson & Johnson, according to the SC Johnson FAQs page.

Still, SC Johnson owns a variety of well-known brands, including Babyganics, Glade, Raid, Pledge, Ziploc, and Method. The Babyganics brand appears to be sold in major retailers such as Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and online at Amazon. Last week they hosted a website page with information on the recall, stating “Babyganics is launching a voluntary recall of certain lots of sunscreen products that do not meet our quality standards,” noting a “potential impurity” that was discovered in the products.

The recalled product details include:

Kids by babyganics SPF 50 totally tropical (titanium dioxide 3/5%, zinc oxide 7.25%)

• Packaged in 6 OZ (170 g) spray bottles
• UPC 813277019954 with the following Lot # and Expiration Dates:
  • A034 / 5810343A, A034 / 5820343A, Exp. Date Feb-25
  • A282 / 0122853A, A289 / 0132853A, Exp. Date Oct-25
  • C010 / 1680174A, C011 / 1690174A, Exp. Date Jan-26; C218 / 2592224A, C218 / 2602224A, Exp. Date Aug-26.
• UPC 813277019800 with the following Lot # and Expiration Dates:
  • A142 / 3901443A, A142 / 3911443A, A142 / 3921443A, Exp. Date May-25
  • A278 / 0142843A, A279 / 0152843A, A279 / 0162843A, Exp. Date Oct-25
  • A314 / 4473263A, A314 / 4483263A, A317 / 4493263A, Exp. Date Nov-25
  • C046 / 0100594A, C047 / 0110594A C050 / 0120594A, Exp. Date Feb-26
  • C068 / 2770774A, C071 / 2790774A, Exp. Date Mar-26
  • C102 / 9621154A, C102 / 9621154B, C102 / 9621154C, Exp. Date Apr-26
  • C144 / 4721534A, C144 / 4731534A, C144 / 4741534A, C144 / 4751534A, Exp. Date May-26

Kids by babyganics SPF 50 totally tropical (titanium dioxide 3/5%, zinc oxide 7.25%)

• Packaged in a twinpack
• UPC 813277019930
• Lot # and Expiration Dates:
  • A033 / 5830343A, Exp. Date Feb-25
  • A079 / 9620893A, A079 / 9630893A, Exp. Date Mar-25
  • A142 / 3881453A, A142 / 3891453A, Exp. Date May-25

Kids by babyganics SPF 50 mineral sunscreen totally tropical (titanium dioxide 3/5%, zinc oxide 7.25%)

• Packaged in 3 OZ spray bottles
• UPC 813277019916 with the following Lot # and Expiration Dates:
  • A033 / 5880343A, A054 / 2030633A, A058 / 2050633A, A058 / 2050633B, A058 / 2060633A, A058 / 2070633A, A058 / 2040633A, A059 / 2080633A, Exp. Date Feb-25
  • A314 / 4513223A, Exp. Date Nov-25
  • C054 / 2090774A, C057 / 2100774A, Exp. Date Feb-26
  • C131 / 3201394A, C131 / 3211394A, C131 / 3211394B, C131 / 3211394C, Exp. Date May-26
• UPC 813277019923 with the following Lot # and Expiration Dates:
  • A060 / 3780693A, A060 / 3780693B, Exp. Date Mar-25
  • C067 / 2110774A, C067 / 2110774B, C067 / 2110774C, Exp. Date Mar-26
  • C169 / 7921734A, C169 / 7921734B, Exp. Date Jun-26

For the 6-ounce (oz) spray bottles—sold individually or the twinpacks listed above—a total of 449,502 units have been recalled. For the 3-ounce (oz) spray bottles, 493,462 total units are affected.

The FDA lists the products’ distributor as KAS Direct LLC, with an address in Racine, WI, that matches the address also listed for Johnson, SC and Son, Inc, in the report.

While the FDA’s announcement reports that the recall was originally initiated in February, the FDA says “chemical contamination” is the reason behind the recall, though the type of chemical causing concern is unclear. The recall has now been designated as a Class II event, meaning the products involved “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects.”

The Babyganics release says none of their other products are affected, meaning customers can “continue to use them with confidence.” They add, “Your family’s health and safety, and your peace of mind, are our top priorities. We know we may have let you down. We’re taking all necessary steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

The Babyganics statement urges customers to return the product for a full refund and use their recall link for further action.

While potential purity issues can raise some questions, this is a good reminder to set regular sun protection by the door, especially for children. Maryland-based Medstar Health notes that early sun exposure can have a cumulative lifetime effect that increases the risk of skin cancer, and other cancers, with age.

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