“Natural” Sunscreens Face Product Recall Due to Contamination from Microorganisms
Badger Sunscreens for babies and children are under a product recall after testing found that the sunscreens could be contaminated with bacteria and fungi, according to the manufacturer.
W.S. Badger Co, Inc, is the leading producer of natural sunscreens. The company issued a voluntary product recall on September 25th for all lots of the 4-Ounce SPF 30 Baby Sunscreen Lotion, and one lot of the 4-Ounce SPF 30 Kids Sunscreen Lotion. According to W.S. Badger Co, all lots of the recalled product passed testing before going on sale, starting in February of this year, but routine quality checks showed that three microbes – Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida parapsilosis and Acremonium fungis – could grow in the product. The third microbe in the list was found only in one open sample that had been handled and contaminated, according to the company’s product recall notice.
The routine testing showed that the sunscreen had “preservative instability,” so the company issued a voluntary product recall.
Badger CEO Bill Whyte said in an online message that the company is sorry for the concern, but that no consumers had reported that they had injuries or adverse reactions due to potential contamination. He added that toxicologists said that the organisms found in the sunscreens are “unlikely to cause problems except for in immune-compromised persons or for persons with severely damaged skin.”
“In our 18-year history, this voluntary recall is a first. We continue to conduct rigorous testing and are taking steps to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future,” Whyte said.
Company spokeswoman Deirdre Fitzgerald says: “We are already reformulating all products in question for improved shelf-life stability for next year’s sunscreen season.”
Consumers can contact Badger about the product recall by phone at 1-800-603-6100, or [email protected]. If they have one of the affected lots of sunscreen, they can return it for a refund. W.S. Badger Co says that any reports of adverse effects should be directed to the FDA.
Defective Product Recalls and Personal Injury in South Carolina
Every year, thousands of consumers sustain serious injuries from defective products, and improper or delayed product recalls. Many of these injuries could be avoided if the manufacturers or distributors of these products took additional steps to ensure consumer safety, such as issuing product recalls in a timely fashion. Although any product could be subject to a recall due to improper testing, some of the most common product recalls are for automobiles and automotive parts, drugs and medical devices, and children’s toys.
There are a number of reasons that defective products make it to our shelves:
- Defective manufacturing
- Inadequate testing
- Design defects
- Marketing Misrepresentation
To protect yourself and your family, it’s important to know what products have been recalled because they are defective or unsafe. Federal agencies such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) frequently issue product recalls for medical devices, drugs, and products that may be harmful to consumers.
The Strom Law Firm Protects Citizens Harmed by Delayed Defective Product Recalls
The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm keep a close watch on recalls of dangerous and defective product recalls in the US. We aim to protect our clients’ health and safety, and hold manufacturers to the highest possible standard of safety. If you or a loved one have experienced severe, life-limiting side effects from a defective product or drug, and believe that your pain stems from a product recall that came too late, you may be entitled to compensation. The Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today. 803.252.4800.