Benzene testing results
Valisure's research found that 3 My Imports USA deodorant and antiperspirant products under the Tag brand had elevated benzene contents, with one batch exceeding FDA limits by a factor of 7.
- Tag Midnight, Fine Fragrance, Body Spray, Long Lasting Scent - 14.1ppm
- Tag Sport, Fearless, Fine Fragrance Body Spray, Long Lasting Scent - 2.53ppm
- Tag Sport, Dominate, Fine Fragrance Body Spray, Long Lasting Scent - 2.30ppm
Even though contamination has been confirmed, it should be noted that deodorant manufacturers don't use benzene as an ingredient in their products' formulation. Aerosol spray propellants used to dispense the product, such as alcohol, butane, isobutane, propane, and hydrofluorocarbon 152a, are most likely the source of contamination.
My Imports USA doesn't recall benzene deodorants
When Valisure's findings became public knowledge, outraged consumers began filing class action lawsuits against the liable manufacturers. As a result, HRB Brands, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble issued voluntary recalls of their benzene-contaminated products.
However, not all of the manufacturers whose contaminated products were named in the report followed suit. My Imports USA didn't recall its Tag branded deodorants despite showing elevated levels of benzene.
My Imports USA's liability
While contamination was most likely unintentional, exposure to benzene represents a serious health hazard for unsuspecting consumers, and product safety is ultimately the manufacturer's responsibility. By not recalling or addressing the issues reported about its products' contents, My Imports USA may face several product liability, strict liability, and negligence claims, such as:
- defective design
- manufacturing defect
- failure to warn
- improper warning labels
- consumer fraud
- deceptive trade practices
- negligence per se
- gross negligence
- fraudulent concealment
- fraudulent misrepresentation
- negligent misrepresentation
- breach of implied warranties
