Lawsuit Filed States Sunscreen Labels May Be Misleading

Several coordinated lawsuits were filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles on March 29, accusing several sunscreen manufacturers of lying about the effectiveness of their products in blocking sun rays and preventing skin diseases, including cancer. The complaint charges that some products marketed as protective “sunblocks” are unreliable in protecting adults and children and can create a sense of false security that actually endangers users. Two law firms are litigating coordinated class actions, alleging systematic fraud, false advertising and persistently misleading claims that exaggerate the ability of sunscreens to protect against the sun and reduce the risk of cancer and other skin ailments. The suits claim that manufacturers are making fraudulent and misleading claims on labels, Web sites and in advertising and seek an injunction on the claims, compensation for consumers and other remedies, including an industry-funded public education program on sun protection. The seven defendants and their five brands named in the suits include Schering Plough (Coppertone), Sun Pharmaceuticals and Playtex Products (Banana Boat); Tanning Research Laboratories (Hawaiian Tropic), Neutrogena Corp., and Johnson & Johnson (Neutrogena); and Chattem, Inc., (Bullfrog).

Just 2 days after the suits were filed, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) released a statement reaffirming its position that sunscreen is beneficial when used regularly and properly and in conjunction with wearing protective clothing and seeking shade.
“Scientific evidence supports the beneficial effects of proper sunscreen usage,” Stephen P. Stone, M.D., President of the AAD, said in the statement. “While it is an important tool in the fight against skin cancer, sunscreen alone does not protect you enough. People shouldn’t feel they can stay in the sun for extended periods of time just because they are wearing sunscreen.”“While health issues are complex and involve multiple factors, we know that ultraviolet (UV) rays are the primary cause of skin cancer and the solution is to avoid excessive exposure to the sun and other forms of UV radiation,” stated Dr. Stone. “In fact, the United States Department of Health & Human Services declared UV radiation from the sun and artificial sources as a carcinogen in 2002.”