StriVectin, Target Sued Over Reef-Safe Sunscreen Marketing

StriVectin Operating Co. and Target Corp. were hit with separate proposed class actions alleging they deceptively market sunscreen products as not harmful to coral reefs despite the inclusion of chemicals that can harm or kill reefs and other marine life that depends on them.

StriVectin labels certain sun protection products as “Reef Safe,” even though they’re made with ingredients such as avobenzone, homoslate, octisalate, and oroctocrylene, which can cause reef bleaching and disrupt reproduction, Martin Locklin alleges.

Despite their ecological and cultural importance, reefs are disappearing at alarming rates, causing consumers to become increasingly concerned about protecting them, Locklin says. ...