Benzene testing results
Valisure's revealing report detected benzene contamination in 5 Procter & Gamble deodorants under the Old Spice and Secret brands that, at times, exceeded acceptable FDA standards by 8 to 9 times.
- Old Spice Pure Sport - 17.7 ppm avg.
- Secret Powder Fresh - 16.2 ppm avg.
- Old Spice Below Deck - 6.52 ppm avg.
- Secret Cool Light & Airy Smooth Feel, Rose - 4.85 ppm avg.
- Old Spice Sweat Defense Strong Swagger - 4.54 ppm avg.
The same report also notes that 3 other Procter & Gamble deodorants under the Secret brand showed signs of benzene at lower concentrations than 2ppm.
- Secret Cool Light & Airy Smooth Feel, Light Essentials - 1.64 ppm avg.
- Secret Cool Light & Airy Smooth Feel, Waterlily - 1.35 ppm avg.
- Secret Out Last, Protecting Powder - 1.24 ppm avg.
Other products manufactured by Procter & Gamble under the Old Spice brand and tested by Valisure showed no signs of benzene contamination.
- Old Spice - Fiji, Aluminum Free, Re Fresh, Scent Technology
- Old Spice - Sea Spray, Lasting Cologne, Scent, Refresh Scent Technology
- Old Spice - Wolfthorn, Aluminum Free, Re Fresh, Scent Technology
- Old Spice - Dragonblast, Aluminum Free, Re Fresh, Scent Technology
- Old Spice - Swagger, Aluminum Free, Re Fresh, Scent Technology
- Old Spice - Krakengard, Aluminum Free, Re Fresh, Scent Technology
Procter & Gamble recalls benzene deodorants
On November 23, 2021, three weeks after the report was published, Procter & Gamble issued a voluntary recall of 18 Old Spice and Secret brand deodorants, claiming "an abundance of caution."
- 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
- Old Spice - High Endurance AP Spray Pure Sport 12/6oz
- Old Spice - Below Deck Powder Spray Unscented 12/4.9oz
- Old Spice - Below Deck Powder Spray Fresh Air 12/4.9oz
- 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 Ult Captain 12/3.8oz
- Old Spice - Hardest Working Collection Inv Spray Stronger Swagger 12/3.8oz
Procter & Gamble's Liability
Despite the presence of benzene in P&G's products, it's not an ingredient used to manufacture deodorants. More than likely, benzene contamination is the unintentional result of propellants used in spray deodorants, which include butane, propane, isobutane, hydrofluorocarbon 152a, and alcohol.
Even before Procter & Gamble recalled several deodorants suspected of benzene contamination, outraged consumers began filing class action complaints against the company. Even if contamination was unintentional, Procter & Gamble is ultimately responsible for the safety of its products and may face several strict liability, product 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
By April 7, 2022, consumers' claims were consolidated into a multi-district litigation class-action lawsuit. On May 3, 2021, the MDL class action was settled after the plaintiffs, and Procter & Gamble resolved the matter out of court for an undisclosed sum.
