Banana Boat Sunscreens Recalled Due to Risk of Burn Injuries
Dec 29, 2012
Washington, D.C. (Law Firm Newswire) December 28, 2012 – The parent company of Banana Boat, a line of sun-care products, is recalling a half-million bottles of aerosol sunscreen.
There are reports that the product may catch fire if users come into contact with an open flame shortly after applying it.
“This is a frightening example of what can go wrong with a product most people would never imagine to be dangerous,” said Washington, D.C. personal injury attorney David Lietz.
Energizer Holdings announced the recall of 23 products in their UltraMist sunscreen line, including UltraMist Sport, UltraMist Kids, and UltraMist Ultra Defense. A representative of the company said they have received five reports of burns in the last year: four in the U.S. and one in Canada. The spokesman added that sales of the product since its launch in 2010 have exceeded 20 million units.
In a statement, Energizer said that the problem lies in the product’s spray valve, which can apply too much of the product. This increases the time required for the lotion to dry, thereby increasing the risk of flammability.
According to the company, until the product dries completely, it may ignite if it contacts a flame or spark. The label on UltraMist products warns users to keep it away from ignition sources.
Energizer Holdings, based in St. Louis, Mo., undertook the recall voluntarily and has notified the Food and Drug Administration.
In an Associated Press report, dermatologists said that cases like this appear to be very rare. One pointed out that many aerosol products, including deodorants and hair sprays, contain the same flammable ingredients, such as alcohol, contained in the recalled sunscreen, and are therefore may ignite under the right circumstances.
“Consumers expect the products they buy to function as intended,” added Mr. Lietz. “It is important to exercise caution, but some accidents are truly unpredictable.”
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