On November 26th, 2021, Health Canada issued a country-wide recall involving eight Old Spice and Secret antiperspirant/deodorant spray products that are packaged in aerosol cans.

The recall was triggered by a detection of the chemical benzene in the products. Benzine is a chemical that is a colourless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet odour and is highly flammable.

recall list

According to Health Canada, "Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life-threatening."

However, it is also noted that daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products at the levels detected in testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences. It is estimated that approximately 1.4 million units of the recalled products were sold in Canada and the recalled products were sold from November 2019 to November 23rd, 2021.

Consumers should stop using the products and appropriately discard the recalled aerosol spray cans, and contact the company for reimbursement.

Information provided by DiscoverAirdrie