J&J reformulates Piz Buin

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced that it will remove methylisothiazolinone (MI) from its Piz Buin 1 Day Long suncream in the UK, following 150 reports of allergic reactions. The change is expected to take effect by summer 2014.

BBC television consumer programmeWatchdogis taking credit for J&J’s move, after it interviewed consumers who had been affected. At least one had suffered adverse reactions to several different products from different companies, but all contained MI. According to the show, data from leading clinics across the UK indicate that the rate of reaction to MI is currently running at more than 10%.

“[Piz Buin 1 Day Long] contains only permitted ingredients at levels well within EU standards set by regulators,” said J&J in an official statement. It concluded: “Many substances in our daily life may cause irritation in some people with a particular sensitivity. This applies to methylisothiazolinone, a preservative used to protect products from spoiling, which is found in many consumer and household products”. The company has pledged to update Piz Buin 1 Day Long in response to growing concern, and from summer 2014 a new formulation that does not contain MI will be available in the UK.”