Popular sunscreen brands Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat are facing legal challenges in Australia over allegations of misleading consumers with "reef-friendly" claims. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking Edgewell Personal Care, the owner of both brands, to court, alleging that the company engaged in "greenwashing" by falsely advertising the environmental benefits of its products.
The ACCC claims that despite the sunscreens being free from oxybenzone and octinoxate – chemicals known to harm coral reefs – they contain other ingredients that could potentially damage marine ecosystems. This action follows concerns raised by consumer advocacy group Choice, which found that several sunscreens, including Banana Boat, failed to provide the level of sun protection advertised on their labels.
"Greenwashing" Accusations and SPF Testing Failures
The term "greenwashing" describes the practice of overstating or falsely claiming environmental benefits. The ACCC's deputy chair, Catriona Lowe, stated that Edgewell lacked a reasonable scientific basis for its "reef-friendly" claims, potentially misleading a vast number of consumers. The sunscreens were sold with these claims, sometimes accompanied by images of coral, over a four-year period.
Adding to the controversy, recent testing by Choice revealed that some sunscreens, including Banana Boat SPF50+ lotion, failed to meet their advertised sun protection factor (SPF). An SPF rating indicates how effectively a sunscreen protects skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation and sunburn. In Choice's testing, Banana Boat SPF50+ lotion only achieved an SPF of 35. Another sunscreen, Ultra Violette's Lean Screen SPF 50+, delivered a concerning SPF of just 4, although the company disputes these findings. Edgewell has been contacted for comment regarding the Choice findings.
Edgewell maintains that it stands by its product claims and will vigorously defend the lawsuit.