Proctor & Gamble Recalls Old Spice Because Of Cancerous Component

HOUSTON, TX — Proctor & Gamble is recalling certain Old Spice, Below Deck and Secret aerosol products from retail stores across the country, including in Houston, due to a chemical found in the sprays that is known to cause cancer.

The Cincinnati-based company announced the recall for both the United States and Canada this week after the chemical component, Benzene, was detected in certain products.

According to Proctor & Gamble, Benzene is a human carcinogen and exposure to the chemical can take place 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, the company said.

The company said this week that certain Old Spice, Below Deck and Secret deodorant sprays have been removed from store shelves because of the detection of Benzene. However, the company said that there are low levels of Benzene in the products and that the recall was announced out of an abundance of caution.

As of this week, the company had not received any reports of customers who were effected directly by use of the products.

The following products have been recalled, according to Proctor & Gamble:

• 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
• Old Spice Pure Sport 2021 Gift Set
• 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

"We decided to voluntarily recall these products to the consumer level due to the presence of benzene detected in some products," the company said this week. "Daily exposure to the level of benzene detected would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences and we are conducting this recall out of an abundance of caution."

Proctor & Gamble said that consumers should stop using these specific aerosol products and throw them and should follow local disposal procedure for aerosol products.

Further questions regarding the recall can be directed to Proctor & Gamble's Consumer Care Team at 888-339-7689 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit oldspice.com for more information.