Old Spice, Secret Deodorant Sprays Recalled Over Possible Cancer Concerns

Several deodorant sprays from Old Spice and Secret were recalled on Tuesday over possible concerns of a cancer-causing chemical detected in the sprays.

In an announcement posted on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) website, Procter & Gamble said they were issuing a voluntary recall for "specific Old Spice and Secret aerosol spray antiperspirants and Old Spice Below Deck aerosol spray products sold in the United States...due to the presence of benzene detected."

According to the recall announcement, benzene is a human carcinogen, with exposure possible by inhalation, orally, and through the skin. Exposure to benzene "can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life-threatening," the announcement said.

The recall announcement said exposure modeling and cancer risk assessments conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), showed that daily exposure to the levels of benzene detected in the recalled products "would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences."

Procter & Gamble said that to date, they have not received any reports of consumers experiencing adverse side effects due to the recalled products, but the company decided to recall the products "out of an abundance of caution."

The full list of recalled products includes:

  • Old Spice High Endurance AP Spray Pure Sport 12/6oz
  • Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Inv Spray Stronger Swagger 3.8oz
  • Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Inv Spray Pure Sport Plus 12/3.8oz
  • Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Inv Spray Stronger Swagger 12/3.8oz
  • Old Spice Hardest Working Collection Inv Spray Ult Captain 12/3.8oz
  • Old Spice Below Deck Powder Spray Unscented 12/4.9oz
  • Old Spice Below Deck Powder Spray Fresh Air 12/4.9oz
  • Secret Aerosol Powder Fresh Twin Pack
  • Secret Aerosol Powder Fresh 12/6OZ
  • Secret Aerosol Powder Fresh 12/4OZ
  • Secret Fresh Collection Inv Spray Waterlily 3.8oz
  • Secret Fresh Collection Inv Spray Lavender 12/3.8oz
  • Secret Fresh Collection Inv Spray Water Lily 12/3.8oz
  • Secret Fresh Collection Inv Spray Light Essentials 12/3.8oz
  • Secret Fresh Collection Inv Spray Rose 12/3.8oz
  • Secret Outlast Inv Spray Completely Clean 12/3.8oz
  • Secret Outlast Inv Spray Protecting Powder 12/3.8oz
  • Old Spice Pure Sport 2021 Gift Set

In a statement sent to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Procter & Gamble explained that benzene is not an ingredient in any of their products but "testing revealed unexpected detection of benzene in some Old Spice and Secret aerosol spray antiperspirant and Old Spice Below Deck products."

"Our investigation showed that traces of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can," the statement said. " Due to the highly specialized nature of aerosol products, we use a manufacturing partner to produce these products. Our manufacturing partner identified an issue with their propellant supply and is implementing additional measures to address the issue identified in the investigation."

The statement also added that no other Old Spice or Secret products are impacted by this recall. "This represents the vast majority of our products, including body spray products, solid sticks, soft solids and gel antiperspirants and deodorant products," the statement concluded.

According to the recall announcement, retailers carrying the recalled products have been alerted to remove them from shelves. Consumers who have purchased the recalled Old Spice and Secret products will be offered a reimbursement, the recall said.

Secret Deodorant
Several Old Spice and Secret deodorant spray products have been recalled due to a possible detection of the carcinogen, benzene. Above, view of atmosphere at 'Secret with Essential Oils' Launch Party at Villa 2024 on... Emma McIntyre/Getty

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