"Lab Calls for Recall of Benzene-Contaminated Acne Treatments"
An independent lab, Valisure, has found that benzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient in acne medications, degrades into the cancer-causing chemical benzene in products from popular brands like ProActiv and Clearasil. The lab detected benzene in 94 out of 99 acne treatment products containing benzoyl peroxide, often at levels exceeding the FDA's safe limit. Valisure has filed a petition urging the FDA to recall and suspend sales of these products, while the FDA has stated it will respond in due course and emphasized the need for accurate and reproducible data before making regulatory decisions.