P&G recalls certain conditioners and sprays for finding carcinogens

The logo of Procter & Gamble Co. is displayed on a screen on the floors of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, United States, on June 27, 2018. REUTERS / Brendan McDermid

Dec. 17 (Reuters) – Procter & Gamble Co (PG.N) announced on Friday that it was voluntarily recalling certain dry conditioners and spray shampoos sold in the United States and Canada from its Pantene and Herbal Essences brands due to the presence of cancer. causing chemicals.

The recall also includes products from its Aussie and Waterless brands made in the United States and certain discontinued items from its Old Spice and Hair Food brands, in which P&G said it detected “unexpected levels” of benzene, a carcinogen. man.

Shares of the packaged goods maker, which rose 15% this year, fell 1.1% to $ 159.36 in afternoon trading.

P&G did not disclose the number of the recalled products, which were distributed through retail outlets and online, but said they represented less than 1% of its overall hair care product portfolio.

The company said it had not received any reports of adverse events related to the recall, but added that daily exposure to the level of benzene detected in products is not expected to have negative health consequences.

Benzene is classified as a potentially carcinogenic substance depending on the level and extent of exposure.

Earlier this year, U.S. drugstore chains pulled Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ.N) sunscreen products from their shelves after J&J said it detected benzene in some samples.

Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam and Uday Sampath in Bengaluru; Editing by Amy Caren Daniel and Ramakrishnan M.

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