The sunscreen scandal in Australia is growing. So far, 18 products have been removed from shelves due to safety concerns. In Australia, which has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, sunscreens are among the most strictly regulated products.
Analyses conducted in June revealed that many popular and expensive brands did not provide the SPF protection they claimed. The most striking example was Ultra Violette Lean Screen Skinscreen. Despite bearing the SPF 50+ label, tests revealed it only had SPF 4, and the product was recalled.
In an investigation conducted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), serious problems were found in approximately 20 different sunscreens using the same base formula. According to preliminary results, some products have a protection factor below 21, even as low as 4.
According to the TGA’s statement, eight of the 21 products have been completely recalled or their production has been stopped, sales of 10 products have been suspended, and the others are under investigation.
The scandal has sparked strong>outrage among consumers in Australia, while experts say this could have global consequences. Because the problem stems not only from manufacturing defects, but also from the reliability of the laboratories conducting the SPF tests. Wild Child Laboratories, which developed the formula, announced that it has stopped production. The company argued that the problems are a “testing problem that is spreading throughout the entire industry.” The TGA, on the other hand, targeted the US-based PCR Corp laboratory, stating that there are serious doubts about the accuracy of the tests performed. The problem is not only due to manufacturing defects, but also from the reliability of the laboratories conducting the SPF tests.
