Vietnam demands Unilever report on Canada recall of cancer-hazard shampoo

The Vietnam Drug Administration (VDA) has demanded a report from Unilever Vietnam on Canada’s recent recall of some dry shampoo brands given the potential presence of cancer-triggering benzene.

The dry shampoo products were made in the U.S.

The VDA authority has asked Unilever Vietnam to submit reports on the circulation of dry shampoos Bed Head Tigi, Dove and Tresemmé in the country. These are the brands that have been recalled in Canada. Unilever Vietnam has also been asked to propose ways to handle the problem and issue relevant recommendations.

Unilever Vietnam had introduced Tresemmé Fresh & Clean Dry Shampoo, Tresemmé Volumizing Dry Shampoo, and Dove Invisible Dry Shampoo, all produced in the U.S., to the Vietnamese market in 2019 and 2020.

But the company has informed authorities that it has ceased the import and distribution of Dove Invisible Dry Shampoo since 2020 and has not distributed Tresemmé Fresh & Clean Dry Shampoo, and Tresemmé Volumizing Dry Shampoo since September 2021.

The VDA is coordinating with counterpart regulatory agencies of relevant countries to verify Unilever Vietnam’s reports.

Established in 1995, Unilever Vietnam has become one of the most successful corporations in the country’s fast-moving consumer goods industry.

It is among the top foreign-invested tax payers in Vietnam, together with Honda, C.P., Samsung, Heineken, Toyota and Suntory Pepsico, according to the General Department of Taxation.