Banana Boat Sunscreen Recalled After Users Catch Fire
Banana Boat sunscreen maker is recalling one of its spray-on products after discovering the hard way that it can literally set someone on fire.
The maker, Energizer Holdings, has decided to pull more than 20 formulations of UlrtaMist sunscreen off store shelves after a handful of people caught on fire after applying it, reports CBS News.
A spokesman for the company explained that there have been five reports of people igniting on fire in the last year after they applied the Banana Boat spray-on sunscreen. Four of those cases were reported in the US, while the fifth was in Canada.
More than 20 million units of UltraMist have sold since the product launched in 2010. Energizer Holdings has warned customers not to use 23 products in its “continuous spray Banana Boat sun care” line and has also asked retailers to stop selling the products, according to Boston.com. The company’s statement added:
“Energizer believes that this issue is associated with the product delivery system, specifically the size of the spray valve opening on the affected products.”
The company went on to explain:
“The spray valve opening on the affected products dispenses more than is typical in the industry for continuous sun care sprays. As a result, the product is taking longer to dry on the skin than is typical… if a consumer comes into contact with a flame or spark prior to complete drying of the product on the skin, there is a potential for the product to ignite.”
One resident of Stow, Massachusetts reported suffering from second-degree burns on his chest, ear, and back after he applied Banana Boat Sport Performance spray-on sunscreen before he tended to a barbecue.
