What is the lawsuit against Banana Boat sunscreen?
The ACCC has launched Federal Court proceedings against Edgewell Personal Care Australia Pty Ltd and its US-based parent company, Edgewell Personal Care Company or Edgewell PCC, for allegedly false or misleading claims that its popular Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat branded sunscreens were ‘reef friendly’. On 30 June 2025, the ACCC launched Federal Court proceedings against Edgewell Personal Care Australia Pty Ltd and its US parent company alleging that more than 90 of its Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens were falsely marketed as “reef friendly”.The ACCC has launched Federal Court proceedings against Edgewell Personal Care Australia Pty Ltd and its US-based parent company, Edgewell Personal Care Company or Edgewell PCC, for allegedly false or misleading claims that its popular Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat branded sunscreens were ‘reef friendly’.
Do banana boats still exist?
Modern banana boats tend to be reefer ships or other refrigerated ships that carry cooled bananas on one leg of a voyage, then general cargo on the return leg. The banana superstition dates all the way back to the 1700s, when many lost or ill-fated ships were noted to have been carrying bananas to their destination. It is perhaps because of this occurrence that bananas became known as omens of danger and misfortune for ships.
Which country made banana boat sunscreen?
Banana Boat® was born at Florida’s sunny Miami Beach in 1976, when a local lifeguard made it his mission to help sunscreen feel good for a change. An SPF 30 allows about 3 percent of UVB rays to hit your skin. An SPF of 50 allows about 2 percent of those rays through. That may seem like a small difference until you realize that the SPF 30 is allowing 50 percent more UV radiation onto your skin.The level of protection against UV rays is the primary difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 or 70 sunscreen. A SPF of 30 fends off about 97% of UVB rays. SPF of 55 fends off more than 98% of UV rays, while an SPF 70 sunscreen can fend off up to 99% of UVB rays.Last month Banana Boat was one of several sunscreen brands that Choice found did not offer the level of advertised skin protection, with the product’s SPF50+ lotion testing at 35. Get updates about our journalism and ways to support and enjoy our work.SPF 50+ offers very high protection against UVB rays, reducing sunburn risk. PA++++ provides the strongest UVA protection, guarding skin from premature aging, tanning, and deep cellular damage.Consider your skin type However, regardless of your skin type or tone, sunscreen is a non-negotiable. Reach for SPF 30 if you plan to stay indoors or aren’t highly sun-sensitive, and use SPF 50 if you’re fair, have sensitive skin, or use sensitizing ingredients such as retinol or AHAs.
What is the Banana Boat scandal?
The complaint alleges that the company’s Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens used other chemicals that were also harmful to reefs but failed to disclose that fact to consumers and made the claim without scientific support. The popular sunscreen brands made by Neutrogena, Coppertone, and Banana Boat are all not recommended, according to dermatologists.
What is the problem with Banana Boat sunscreen?
Banana boat has expanded its voluntary nationwide recall of three batches of banana boat hair & scalp sunscreen spray spf 30 aerosol sprays. One additional batch has been added to the original recall announced on july 29, 2022. A review found that some samples of the product contained trace levels of benzene. In 2022 and 2023, edgewell issued a recall of some of its banana boat sunscreen due to the presence of benzene, a known carcinogen.