Vietnam reviews Unilever report on US recall of dry shampoos with potential presence of carcinogens
Thursday, October 27, 2022, 11:26 GMT+7
The Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health recently demanded a report from Unilever Vietnam International Co. Ltd. after Unilever United States recalled a number of its dry shampoo brands in the U.S. due to the potential presence of benzene, which is classified as a human carcinogen.
Unilever Vietnam International Co. Ltd. submitted the report to Vietnamese authorities, which showed that the company introduced TRESemmé Fresh & Clean Dry Shampoo, TRESemmé Volumizing Dry Shampoo, and Dove Invisible Dry Shampoo, all produced in the U.S., in Vietnam in 2019 and 2020.
The firm has ceased the import and distribution of Dove Invisible Dry Shampoo since 2020 and has not distributed TRESemmé Fresh & Clean Dry Shampoo and TRESemmé Volumizing Dry Shampoo since September 2021.
The Drug Administration of Vietnam is coordinating with drug regulatory agencies of relevant countries to verify Unilever Vietnam’s report.
On October 18, Unilever United States issued a voluntary recall of dry shampoo aerosol products produced prior to October 2021 from Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head), and TRESemmé due to potentially elevated levels of benzene, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life threatening.
The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the United States.
Retailers have been asked to remove the recalled products from shelves.
Based on an independent health hazard evaluation, Unilever U.S. stated that daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products at the levels detected in testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences.
The firm said it is recalling these products out of caution and has received no reports of adverse events to date relating to the recall.
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