The controversy surrounding sunscreen in Australia has intensified as a skin cancer survivor raises concerns over a recently recalled product.
Twenty-one sunscreen products are currently under investigation, all linked to a Perth laboratory accused of providing a defective base formula.
One such product, Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen, a highly popular sunscreen priced at $52, claimed to offer SPF50 protection. However, independent tests revealed it only provided an SPF of four.
“I used Lean Screen on my children, and I would do so again,” stated co-founder Ava Chandler-Matthews in a video shared on Instagram.
Following these revelations, Ultra Violette recalled the product, offering refunds to customers. In a statement to 9News, they confirmed, “We have terminated our partnership with Wild Child and PCR.”
“Our duty as a sunscreen brand is to prioritize your safety, protection, and skin health above everything else,” they declared after withdrawing the product from stores.
“It remains the basis for every decision we make, which is why when you heard from us last, we made a commitment to you that we would continue to investigate a concerning discrepancy in SPF testing results of our Lean Screen.”
The Melbourne-based company says it’s re-tested its entire range and has “complete confidence” in the safety of its other products.
Independent facility PCR says that its testing “reflects the specific sample and batch submitted at the time” and suggests the Therapeutic Goods Administration regulatory process might not be strict enough.
In Perth, Wild Child Laboratories has abandoned its overseas tester, telling 9News the TGA found “no manufacturing issues at our facility” during a subsequent inspection.
The TGA has recalled or paused the production of 21 other sunscreen brands that also used Wild Child’s base formula.
“The buck stops with these brands,” Gleeson said.
“They may say we’ve been using a lab or a manufacturer who has failed, well at the end of the day, you are still responsible for that product.”
The advice from experts is still to slip, slop and slap.
“We know sunscreen is highly effective at reducing sunburn which we know can be a predictor of skin cancer later in life,” Cancer Council Victoria prevention division head Craig Sinclair said.
