Canada’s national health agency has issued a recall for more than a million hair products after benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, was detected.
The agency said 1,574,426 units of the affected products were sold in Canada from January 2020 to October 2022. The products were manufactured in the United States and distributed by consumer goods giant Unilever Canada Inc.
“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and dispose of it in accordance with the instructions for disposal on the packaging,” said Health Canada. “Consumers may contact the company for reimbursement.”
The agency warned that 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.”
As of Oct. 7, no incidents or injuries related to the use of the affected products have been reported to Unilever Canada, said the health agency.
“Unilever Canada is recalling these products out of an abundance of caution,” the company said.
“The recalled products were distributed nationwide in Canada through retail outlets and online. Retailers have been notified to remove recalled products from shelves.”
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