Report finds some sunscreens fail to meet SPF claims on label

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Sunscreen testing by consumer group choice has found many popular brands don't meet their sun protection factor claims. Twenty sunscreens, including some marketed for children, were tested and only four met their advertised SPF rating.

Transcript

00:00Australia's high skin cancer rates mean sunscreen is crucial under the Australian sun.

00:08But Choice has tested 20 popular sunscreens labelled as SPF 50 and found 16 fell short.

00:16I find that really disturbing. I would just trust that what it says on the package is what it should be.

00:22Especially if you're planning like me to lay in the sun all day, it's definitely a bit more of a concern.

00:27Australia has a reputation for having the best sunscreens in the world.

00:31And to come back with this kind of result is alarming and disappointing.

00:37The worst performer was also the most expensive, an ultraviolet product which returned an SPF of just 4.

00:43The company disputes that and says its own testing shows an SPF of above 60.

00:48Several others had SPF ratings in the 20s, including two sold by the Cancer Council.

00:54Some products by Bondi Sands and Banana Boat had an SPF of around 30.

00:58While Nivea and Coles creams were among those in the 40s.

01:01Only four sunscreens came in over 50.

01:04Based on the results that we've seen, we would expect that there would be other products out there that would be similar if we tested them.

01:11But Choice says Australians shouldn't panic about their sunscreens not working.

01:16I should emphasise that it doesn't mean that you throw away your sunscreen.

01:20Any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen.

01:23The Melanoma Institute says lower SPF sunscreens can still provide significant protection.

01:28And how much you put on is as important.

01:31We know that most people apply less than a quarter of the amount of sunscreen which is used in testing.

01:36All the brands tested have rejected the findings and say they have test results showing their products are compliant.

01:43Choice now wants the Therapeutic Goods Administration which regulates sunscreen to do its own testing.

01:48In a statement to the ABC the TGA said SPF test results can vary between labs.

01:53But it is investigating the Choice findings and will take regulatory action as required.

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