Pharmacy Daily | Fallout from Choice sunscreen testing continues

THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has confirmed that 20 sunscreens sold in Australia are using the same base formula as Ultra Violette's Lean Screen, which rated SPF 4 in the Choice sunscreen tests earlier this year (PD 12 Jun), and expressed concerns with the UK testing lab used to provide initial SPF ratings.

Lean Screen was manufactured using the same base formulation as a number of other sunscreens, and the manufacturer of that base formulation, Wild Child Laboratories, has now received preliminary SPF testing results for that base formulation.

The preliminary testing indicates that this base formulation is unlikely to have an SPF greater than 21 and, as with Lean Screen, may be as low as SPF 4.

Brands whose range includes affected products are:

* Aspect Sun

* Aesthetics Rx

* New Day Skin

* Allganics

* Beauti-FLTR

* Found My SKin

* Ethical Zinc

* Endota

* We are Feel Good Inc

* GlindaWand

* Ultra Violette

* People4Ocean

* McoBeauty

* Naked Sundays

* Outside Beauty & SKincare

* Salus

The complete list of products and current status is HERE.

The Wild Child Laboratories has ceased manufacture and supply of the base formulation.

"It's highly concerning to see the TGA confirm that 20 sunscreens using the same base formula as Ultra Violette's Lean Screen are unlikely to meet their SPF claims," said Choice CEO Ashley de Silva.

"If you're currently using one of the sunscreens that shares this base formula, the TGA is advising you to consider trying out a different product as we head into hotter months.

"If you've been burnt while using one of these products - or any sunscreen - consider reporting your experience to the TGA," he added.

The TGA also raised concerns around the reliability of Princeton Consumer Research Corp (PCR), a test lab based in the UK used by at least 15 sunscreens sold in Australia.

Two former employees of the company appeared on ABC's 7.30 yesterday outlining issues around questionable accuracy of data and incorrect testing practices, saying they left the company due to ethical concerns.

The TGA has notified all companies responsible for affected sunscreens of this testing and its concerns about the reliability of testing performed by PCR, and is considering whether to take regulatory action with respect to those sunscreens.

Sunscreen brands Cancer Council, Woolworths and Ultra Violette, as well as base formulation manufacturers Baxter Laboratories and Wild Child Laboratories, told the ABC they are no longer using PCR to certify the SPF of their products.

The TGA has reiterated that despite concerns over the accuracy of testing, it is important that Australians continue to use sunscreens to protect against the harmful effects of UV radiation. KB