Energizer Holdings recalls Banana Boat due to burn injury risk

The recall will pull 23 different varieties of UltraMist sunscreen off store shelves that the company says run the risk of catching fire if contact is made with open flames before the product is completely dry.

Risk ​

According to Energizer, the issue lies with ‘UltraMist’s spray valve, said to be larger than the average spray bottle, which is over applying the sunscreen and as a result is taking longer to dry, raising the flammability risk.

"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​," says a company spokesperson.

Aerosol sunscreens have become popular in recent years because they’re faster and easier to apply than traditional creams and

in the last year alone, there have been four reports in the US and one in Canada of people suffering burns after using the UltraMist products.

Dan Dillard, executive director of the Burn Prevention Network revealed his group was contacted earlier in the year about two burns relating to the spray-on sunscreen.

One case is said to have involved a man who was standing near a barbecue grill, and the other, a woman working with welding equipment. Both instances are said to have resulted in second- and third-degree burns.

“We’ve found no evidence of this happening before the incidents that came to our attention​,” adds Dillard.

Is labeling part of problem?​

Up until the recall, labels on UltraMist products warned users to “keep away from sources of ignition – no smoking,​” but dermatologists say most people don’t read such labels.

“So many people put this on outside, while they’re on their way to activities, so I just don’t think people are aware​,” says Dr. Michele Green, a dermatologist at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital.

On the other hand Dr. Darrel Rigel, a past president of the American Academy of Dermatology points out that the flammable ingredients in aerosols are common in many products and that “you just have to use common sense and not be near an open fire when you put on aerosol anything​.”

Below is a full list of the products the manufacturer is recalling.