Church & Dwight, the parent company of Batiste, has agreed to a $2.5 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging that its dry shampoo products contain harmful levels of benzene, a known carcinogen. The lawsuit claimed that Batiste dry shampoo was contaminated with benzene, linked to leukaemia and other blood cancers. The manufacturer denies wrongdoing but settled to avoid further legal costs.
Customers who purchased Batiste dry shampoo products may be eligible for refunds. Those who bought Batiste Bare or Clean or Batiste Light Bare before 30 May 2023 and can provide proof of purchase can receive a full refund via cash or voucher. Without proof, they can claim $2 per product up to five products, for a maximum of $10. Customers who bought other Batiste products can receive a $2 product voucher per item, up to five items.
Claims must be submitted by 15 November 2023 via a valid claim form requiring name, address, email, product details, and payment preference. The final approval hearing is scheduled for 16 October 2023.
The lawsuit follows Unilever's recall of 19 dry shampoo aerosol products in 2022 due to potentially elevated benzene levels, attributed to the propellant. Independent laboratory Valisure found that 70% of samples across 34 brands contained quantifiable benzene. The CDC warns that long-term exposure to high benzene levels can cause anaemia and blood cancers like leukaemia.
