Proactiv, Walgreens Acne Products Contaminated with Benzene (2)

Acne treatments sold by Proactiv and Walgreens Boots Alliance are being recalled because they are contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical called benzene, the US Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

Valisure, an independent lab in Connecticut, flagged the benzene contamination in benzoyl peroxide acne products a year ago to the FDA. The agency then undertook its own testing.

The FDA analyzed benzene levels in 95 benzoyl peroxide treatments and said 90% showed undetectable or extremely low levels of benzene. The agency also said the recall is being conducted at the retailer level, meaning stores should remove them from shelves, but ...