Birth Trauma / Medical Malpractice

Here’s a frightening scenario: You spray on some sun tan lotion, someone lights a cigarette near you and you ignite in flames.

That’s the potential danger that last Friday prompted the maker of Banana Boat Sun Care to voluntarily recall some its spray-on products from the market.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm324824.htm

Energizer Holdings Inc., based in St. Louis, said it was withdrawing about two dozen spray-on Banana Boat sun care products, such as Continuous Mist and Ultra Mist, “due to a potential risk of product igniting on the skin if contact is made with a source of ignition before the product is completely dry.”

In its press release, the company said, “Energizer believes that this issue is associated with the product delivery system, specifically the size of the spray valve opening on the affected products. The spray valve opening on the affected products dispenses more than is typical in the industry for continuous sun care sprays. As a result, the product is taking longer to dry on the skin than is typical with other continuous sprays. If a consumer comes into contact with a flame or spark prior to complete drying of the product on the skin, there is a potential for the product to ignite.”

The company reported that it had “received four reports of adverse events involving burns associated with the use of the Banana Boat SPORT Ultramist SPF 30 and 50 products in the US, and one event in Canada.”

Five “adverse events”? I hope no one was burned to a crisp.

These over-the-counter products were distributed nationwide to wholesalers and retailers from January 2010 through Sept. 30.

Energizer said it was  notifying its retail partners to stop selling the product.

“Consumer safety is the primary objective of Energizer and therefore it has voluntarily initiated this market withdrawal,” the company said in its press release “As already described, Energizer believes it has identified the cause of this safety concern and expects to offer new Banana Boat continuous spray products shortly.”

Energizer then added this little caveat: “Consistent with existing warnings on all continuous spray sun care products, consumers should take care to avoid sources of ignition when using these products, should not smoke while using these products, and should not use these products in the presence of a flame or spark.”

Energizer advised anyone who purchased any of the various versions of spray-on Banana Boat that the company cited  not to use them.

Consumers with questions or complaints regarding the recall can contact Energizer by calling Consumer Affairs at 1-800-SAFESUN (1-800-723-3786) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Times, or by sending an email to: SUNCARE@customerfollowup.info.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is aware of the recall, according to Energizer.

So-called “adverse events” that may be related to the use of these products may be reported to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program either online, by regular mail or by fax:

• Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
• Regular Mail: use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at:
  www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm.
  Mail to MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
• Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178