Harmful Dry shampoo recall by Unilever

A short primer

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – the U.S. regulator for cosmetics and other consumer products – defines a recall as a removal or correction of products that violate laws or can cause health risks. In October 2022, Unilever announced a voluntary recall of certain aerosol‐dry‐shampoo products in the United States, citing potential contamination with Benzene. The Times of India+4U.S. Food and Drug Administration+4mannafoodbank.org+4

What’s “dry shampoo”? It’s a hair-care product that you spray or apply without using water; typically it absorbs oil, gives volume or refreshes the hair between washes. The Times of India+1

The core of the issue: some of these aerosol dry shampoos from Unilever had potentially elevated levels of benzene, which is a known human carcinogen. Unilever says the quantities detected were not expected to cause harm under the tested exposure, but the company recalled the items “out of an abundance of caution.” University of Cincinnati+4mannafoodbank.org+4aafes.com+4

Let’s unpack the story in more depth — the who, what, why, how, implications, and what you might want to do if you’ve used similar products.

Dry shampoo recall Image Credit: Pexel.com

Why the Dry shampoo recall: what exactly happened

The announcement

On 18 October 2022, Unilever United States issued a voluntary product recall to the consumer level of select lot codes of aerosol dry-shampoo products produced prior to October 2021. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1

The recall affects several of Unilever’s hair-care brands: Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TRESemmé, and Bed Head/Rockaholic under the TIGI label. ABC7 San Francisco+2Cosmetics Business+2

The reason

The trigger: independent testing and internal review found the potential presence of benzene in the aerosol propellant system of the products. The propellant (e.g., liquefied gas used to spray the can) apparently acted as the source of contamination. The Times of India+1

The company’s statement: although a health hazard evaluation concluded that daily exposure at the detected levels would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences, Unilever recalled anyway. aafes.com+1

Scope & product list

• 19 dry-shampoo aerosol products from the U.S. market were included. ABC7 San Francisco+1
• All affected items were produced before October 2021. The Times of India+1
• Retailers were notified to pull the affected items. Consumers were told to stop using the specified products and visit the recall website for reimbursement information. aafes.com+1

Notably, Unilever stated: no other products from its brands were impacted by this recall. Cosmetics Business+1

What’s benzene and why it matters

Benzene is a colorless (to light yellow) volatile liquid at room temperature, used industrially in plastics, resins, synthetic fibers and more. The Times of India+1

It is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the U.S. EPA notes that benzene exposure is linked to leukemia and other blood disorders. EWG+1

For aerosol personal-care products, inhalation is a route of exposure; the concern intensifies if aerosol spray is used frequently or in poorly ventilated spaces. University of Cincinnati

What Unilever said

• The source: the propellant in the aerosol can system. The Times of India
• They emphasised that they had no reports of adverse events related to the recall. ABC7 San Francisco+1
• They offered reimbursement for eligible products and asked consumers to stop using the ones affected. aafes.com

Why this matters (and what the broader context is)

Consumer trust & safety

When a familiar brand recalls a product for a carcinogenic chemical—even if the risk is low—it rattles trust. Many people buy dry shampoo assuming “it’s safe” and “just another beauty product.” A recall like this punctures that assumption.

Manufacturing and supply-chain issues

The fact that the propellant (rather than the core shampoo ingredients) was identified as the contamination source suggests the risk comes not just from what’s inside the formula, but the delivery system and upstream suppliers. That complicates oversight. Cosmetics Business+1

Risk vs. exposure

Here’s a key nuance: many reports emphasise that, at the measured levels, daily use of these recalled products would not be expected to cause adverse health outcomes. aafes.com+1

But: “would not be expected” is not the same as “zero risk.” Especially when we’re talking carcinogens whose risk may accumulate over time, or whose effect might depend on individual susceptibility.

Wider alarm in the beauty-care sector

This isn’t the first time aerosol products have been recalled for benzene contamination. Other companies, including Procter & Gamble (P&G), have issued similar recalls for dry shampoos and conditioners. Lawsuit Information Center+1

That signals a sector‐wide wake-up call: aerosol personal-care products may need tighter scrutiny.

Legal and regulatory implications

Class-action lawsuits followed: lawsuits allege that Unilever sold products that contained dangerous levels of benzene and failed to warn consumers. Top Class Actions+1

On the regulatory front, this kind of recall might push regulators to re-examine how cosmetics and aerosol propellants are tested and monitored.

What you (or other consumers) can do

Since you’re already here—thinking about this—here are practical steps. No pressure; pick what makes sense.

1. Check if you have one of the recalled products
   If you’ve bought aerosol dry shampoo from the brands listed (Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TRESemmé, Bed Head/Rockaholic) and it was produced before October 2021, check the lot code or UPC to see if it’s in the recall list. aafes.com
2. Stop using affected product
   If yours matches, cease use. Even if the risk is judged “low,” the recall is a signal.
3. Dispose of the product responsibly
   Follow the company’s instructions. Often with aerosols you’ll need to ensure the can is empty and then dispose according to local waste guidelines.
4. Seek reimbursement if eligible
   Unilever has provided instructions. mannafoodbank.org
5. Ventilate when using aerosol sprays
   Since aerosols release gas and fine particulates, using them in well-ventilated areas reduces inhalation risk. One chemist-expert recommended ventilation when using aerosol cosmetics. University of Cincinnati
6. Explore alternatives
   If the recall has you rethinking dry shampoo usage, you might look at non-aerosol formats (powders, sprays with pump rather than propellant), or reduce frequency of use.
7. Stay informed
   Keep an eye on recall notices (via the FDA or major brand websites) and any updates on benzene or aerosol‐product safety.

   Reflections: it’s messy (but not hopeless)

   The story has a few tensions:

   • On one hand: Unilever says “the detected benzene levels wouldn’t be expected to cause harm.” On the other: benzene is a known human carcinogen, and the recall implies they found something they weren’t comfortable leaving in the market.
   • The delivery system (propellant) rather than the core formula was the culprit—so the risk extends beyond what most consumers think about when buying a “shampoo.”
   • Many users may have already used the product (since recall refers to past production lots) and may feel powerless or anxious.

   What this means: you’re not helpless. The recall is a sign that the system (companies + regulators) functioned in one sense: a problem was found, a recall issued. But it also signals that our assumptions of safety (especially for everyday beauty products) may need updating.

   If you’re someone who uses dry shampoos regularly, this might be the moment to ask: how often do I use this product? Do I need to rely on it daily? Are there safer alternatives? What trade-offs (convenience vs. potential risk) am I comfortable with?

   Full list of recalled products (United States) — UPCs & lot codes

   Source: Unilever company table posted on the FDA recall page (PDF). U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1

   Note: products below are aerosol dry-shampoos produced prior to October 2021. If the can in your hand has one of these UPCs and one of the lot codes listed, it was included in the recall — stop using it and follow Unilever’s refund instructions.

   Dove

   • Dove — Volume & Fullness (travel) — 1.15 oz
     UPC: 079400665270
     Lot codes: 01020KK69; 01030KK69; 01040KK69; 02270KK78; 02280KK78; 03020KK78; 03021KK29; 03031KK29; 03041KK29; 07231KK53; 07241KK53; 07261KK53; 07271KK53; 07271KK54; 10060KK10; 10070KK10; 10080KK10. cdn.sanity.io
   • Dove — (other sizes / variants) — multiple UPCs and many lot codes appear across the table (examples below). See the PDF for the full per-variant list: cdn.sanity.io
     • 5 oz — UPC 079400202444 — lots: 01111KK23; 01121KK23; 01121KK24; … (see PDF).
     • 7.3 oz — UPC 079400459862 — lots: 01081KK22; 01111KK22; … (see PDF).
     • 1.15 oz — UPC 079400450920 — lots: 03030KK51; 03040KK51.
     • 5 oz — UPC 079400449351 — lots: 01200KK47; 01200KK48; … (see PDF).
     • Additional Dove variants listed in the PDF: Fresh & Floral, Ultra Clean, Invisible, Detox and Purify, Clarifying Charcoal, Go Active, Fresh Coconut, Volume & Fullness — with their UPCs and dozens of lot codes. cdn.sanity.io

   (Full Dove entries continued in the PDF — it’s a long list; check the PDF for every lot code per variant.) cdn.sanity.io

   Nexxus

   • Nexxus Dry Shampoo Refreshing Mist — 5 oz
     UPC: 605592646638
     Lot codes: 01310KK04; 02010KK04; 03291KK06; 03301KK06. cdn.sanity.io
   • Nexxus (other) — Nexxus Inergy Foam Shampoo entry appears in the table (see PDF). cdn.sanity.io

     Suave

     • Suave — Dry Shampoo Hair Refresher — 5 oz
       UPC: 079400477750
       Lot code: 12220KK02. cdn.sanity.io
     • Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Refresh and Revive — 4.3 oz
       UPC: 079400391483
       Lot codes: 01300KK18; 01310KK18; 02171KK07; 02181KK07; 03191KK08; 03221KK08; 03231KK08; 05141KK09; 05151KK09; 05161KK09; 05210KK02; 05220KK02; 06041KK10; 06051KK10; 06061KK10; 07270KK04; 07280KK04; 08261KK11; 08271KK11; 10050KK05; 10060KK05. cdn.sanity.io

     (Other Suave sizes/pack formats and lot codes are in the official table.) cdn.sanity.io

     TRESemmé

     • Multiple TRESemmé aerosol dry-shampoos are included in the table; examples:
       • 7.3 oz — UPC 022400002422 — lots: 01170KK06; 01180KK07; 02070KK08; … cdn.sanity.io
       • 5 oz — UPC 022400004495 — lots: 02260KK07; 03240KK09; 04201KK17; 05120KK12.
       • Tresemme Pro Pure Dry Shampoo — 5 oz — UPC 022400005683 — lots: 03241KK06; 06090KK04; 06100KK04; 08210KK05; 06021KK07; 06031KK07. cdn.sanity.io

     Bed Head (TIGI) & Rockaholic (TIGI)

     • Bed Head — Oh Bee Hive Dry Shampoo 5 oz — UPC 615908427264 — lots: 01160KK10; 01170KK10; 09101KK06. cdn.sanity.io
     • Bed Head — Oh Bee Hive Volumizing Dry Shampoo 5 oz — UPC 615908431285 — lots: 07200KK01; 07210KK01; 09091KK06; 09101KK06. cdn.sanity.io
     • Bed Head Dirty Secret / 6.2 oz — UPC 615908432671 — lots: 03061KK06; 04301KK07; 07140KK04; 09131KK09; 09141KK09. cdn.sanity.io
     • Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo 2.5 oz — UPC 615908961447 — lot: 04030KK55. cdn.sanity.io

       Quick note on the table above

       The FDA PDF is the authoritative list Unilever provided; it contains the full set of UPCs and dozens/hundreds of lot codes across the 19 recalled aerosol products. I pulled representative entries and the exact UPCs and lot codes are reproduced from that document. For your use (e.g., inclusion in a piece or for a checklist) you can copy the two-page PDF directly; it’s the definitive primary source. cdn.sanity.io+1

       Were these recalled items sold in India / subject to recall in India?

       Short answer: There’s no India-wide regulator recall matching the US list, and Hindustan Unilever (HUL) said it does not manufacture or sell dry-shampoo aerosol products in India. However, some imported cans from the US have been available in Indian e-commerce and offline via third-party importers — so it’s possible some affected SKUs were present in India as imports. I checked Indian media coverage and company statements; here’s the evidence and steps to confirm. Moneycontrol+1

       What I found

       • Hindustan Unilever (HUL) statement: HUL told Indian media it does not manufacture or sell dry shampoos in India and that the recall pertained to Unilever US/Canada products. (reported by Economic Times / BrandEquity and MoneyControl). That means Unilever’s Indian subsidiary was not directly recalling domestic production. ETBrandEquity.com+1
       • Indian news & import reports: Indian outlets (India Today, Times of India, LiveMint, etc.) reported the US recall and noted that some Dove dry-shampoo cans imported into India by private distributors were visible on online marketplaces. IndiaToday specifically flagged that imported cans were listed by third-party sellers and that an importer (named in reporting) was marketing US-made Dove dry-shampoos in India. That suggests some cans with US UPCs / lot codes may have reached Indian consumers through imports, but there was no official India regulator recall posted corresponding to the FDA list. India Today+1
       • No CDSCO/FSSAI national recall found: I could not find any official Indian government recall notice (CDSCO or other central regulator) matching the FDA Unilever table. That’s consistent with HUL’s claim the products were not produced/sold by them domestically. (Searches across Indian regulator sites and news coverage turned up company statements and media reports but no India regulator recall.) Moneycontrol+1

         What this means for people in India

       • If you bought an aerosol dry-shampoo in India, check the can. Look for the UPC and lot code on the base/side of the can. If the UPC and lot code match those in the FDA PDF table, treat the can as part of the recall — stop using it and contact the seller/importer for refund or disposal instructions. The US recall list is the authority for which lot codes were included. cdn.sanity.io
     • • If you purchased the product from Hindustan Unilever channels in India (official HUL distributors or retail channels), HUL says it does not sell these dry-shampoos domestically — so domestic HUL stock should not be on the US recall list. Still, third-party importers can and did bring US items to India via parallel imports/third-party sellers. Moneycontrol

       Practical next steps I recommend (so you can act, not just worry)

       1. Check the can(s) you have — note UPC and lot code. Compare them to the FDA PDF table I used. If either matches, stop using the can. (You can forward the UPC/lot code to me and I’ll check it against the list for you.) cdn.sanity.io
       2. If you bought from an Indian e-commerce site (Amazon.in, Flipkart, Nykaa, local seller): contact the seller and ask whether the product is imported and whether they will refund/recall. Keep your order number and images of the can (UPC & lot code). News coverage shows third-party import listings existed. India Today
       3. If you want official confirmation in India: contact the distributor/importer listed on the product (if present) and/or the seller. You can also reach out to local consumer-protection authorities or file a complaint with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs (India) or with your state food/drug/cosmetics regulator. (I can draft emails/messages if you want.)
       4. If you used an affected can repeatedly and are concerned about health effects, consult a healthcare provider — especially if you have symptoms or medical concerns. The company and FDA said levels detected would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences, but individual questions are best handled by clinicians. U.S. Food and Drug Administration

       Sources (key)

       • Unilever company recall table (PDF hosted by FDA) — Complete UPCs & lot codes (two-page PDF). cdn.sanity.io+1
       • FDA company announcement page (recall summary). U.S. Food and Drug Administration
       • Canada recall entry (Government of Canada listing of specific lot codes for Canada). recalls-rappels.canada.ca
       • Indian media coverage and HUL statements: India Today, Times of India, MoneyControl/BrandEquity (HUL says it does not sell domestic dry shampoo). India Today+2Moneycontrol+2
       • Conclusion

         The Unilever dry shampoo recall underscores an important truth: even trusted brands and everyday products carry hidden complexities. While the immediate risk from the recalled batches appears low, the presence of a known carcinogen like benzene in a personal‐care aerosol product is a red flag—it invites review of manufacturing practices, supply-chain oversight, and consumer habits.

         If you’ve used one of the affected products, pausing use and verifying lot codes is a smart move. More broadly, this is a moment to rethink how we engage with “quick-fix” beauty products (like dry shampoo) and what we’re comfortable trading off in the name of convenience.

         The takeaway? Awareness opens choice. You don’t have to abandon all aerosols or dry shampoos, but you can insist on knowing what you’re spraying, how often, and under what conditions. The moment invites a shift from passive trust to active inspection.

         FAQs

         Q: 1. Which products were recalled by Unilever in this incident?
         A: Select aerosol dry-shampoo products from Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TRESemmé, Bed Head and Rockaholic (TIGI) produced before October 2021 are included. ABC7 San Francisco+2Cosmetics Business+2

         Q: 2. What’s the problem exactly—how bad are the benzene levels?
         A: Unilever says that independent health hazard evaluation suggests the detected levels would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences. aafes.com+1 However, because benzene is a carcinogen and aerosol exposures add complexity (inhalation, large skin surfaces, etc.), the recall was issued. Some third-party labs have found much higher levels in similar products—though not necessarily exactly these ones. Lawsuit Information Center

         Q: 3. Do I need to worry if I used one of the recalled products?
         A: Worry is probably excessive, but informed caution is reasonable. The fact that a recall was issued means there was a potential risk. If you used a recalled batch, it’s a good idea to stop using it, check lot codes, and consider monitoring your health or consulting a clinician if you’re concerned. For everyday users who used it occasionally, the risk may be quite low.

         Q: 4. Is this a reason to stop using dry shampoo altogether?
         A: Not necessarily. But it is a reason to be thoughtful. Ask: is the product aerosol or non-aerosol? What are the propellants? How often am I using it? Could I switch to a less-risky format (pump spray, powder, mousse)? For some people, the convenience is worth the trade-off; for others, this recall might tip the balance toward alternatives.

         Q: 5. What can regulators or companies do to prevent this in future?
         A: This incident suggests several pathways:

         • Stricter testing of propellant gases and aerosol delivery systems for contaminants like benzene or other petroleum-distillate by-products.
         • Better supply-chain transparency for raw materials (propellant suppliers).
         • Clearer labelling of lot codes and production dates so recalls are easier to trace.
         • Possibly regulatory limits (or clearer guidelines) for chemicals in consumer products, especially those applied near scalp/skin and inhaled.

If you want to see web stories: Web Stories Link Here