March 31, 2022 -- Unilever United States, the company that owns the Suave brand, has recalled two types of Suave deodorants due to slightly high levels of benzene, according to a recall notice from the FDA.

Unilever is recalling lots of its Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant Powder and Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant Fresh with an expiration date through September 2023.

An internal review showed slightly high levels of benzene in some product samples, the company said. Benzene is a human carcinogen (a substance that can cause cancer), and high exposures can result in leukemia, bone marrow cancers, and life-threatening blood disorders.

“While benzene is not an ingredient in any of the recalled products, the review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can,” the company said.

Based on an independent health hazard evaluation, daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products at the levels found during testing wouldn’t be expected to cause bad health issues, the company said. But Unilever has decided to recall the products.

The Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant product line was discontinued in October 2021 for “business reasons,” the company said. The recalled products were in limited distribution at U.S. retail stores and online.

Retailers have been told to remove the recalled products from shelves, the company said. Consumers should stop using the products and throw them away.

Unilever will also offer reimbursement to consumers. To learn more, you can visit the Suave recall page or contact Unilever by calling 866-204-9756.

Consumers should contact their doctor if they have any questions or have had any problems that may be related to using the recalled products, the company said. Consumers and health professionals can report bad reactions to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event program by filling out an online form.

FDA: “Unilever Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant Powder and Suave 24-Hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant Fresh Due to Prescence of Slightly Elevated Levels of Benzene.”

FDA: “Reporting Serious Problems to the FDA.”

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