More sunscreens pulled from Australian shelves over SPF concerns

Ten further sunscreens have either been pulled from Australian shelves or "paused" from supply to retailers over concerns about their sun protection claims.

It brings to a total of 18 sunscreens that have either been recalled or paused from sale in Australia.

The announcement from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on Tuesday afternoon follows the recall of Ultra Violette's SPF 50+ Lean Screen product in August.

In its announcement, the TGA said Wild Child Laboratories Pty Ltd, the manufacturer of the base sunscreen formulation used by the Ultra Violette product, had undertaken fresh testing of its efficacy.

"The preliminary testing indicates that this base formulation is unlikely to have an SPF greater than 21," the TGA statement said.

The TGA also revealed that preliminary testing of other products that used the same base formula may have an SPF as low as 4.

The announcement followed an ABC investigation, which first revealed that five sunscreens paused from sale at the time used the same base formula as Ultra Violette's Lean Screen.

The TGA statement also revealed that it has "significant concerns about the reliability of SPF testing undertaken by Princeton Consumer Research Corp (PCR Corp), a testing laboratory based in the United Kingdom."

An ABC investigation has previously revealed that at least eight sunscreens that failed a recent review by consumer group CHOICE were tested by PCR for its certification on the Australian market.

The ABC has also revealed experts had flagged serious concerns about PCR's test results.

"The TGA is aware that many companies responsible for sunscreens manufactured using this base formulation relied on testing by PCR Corp to support their SPF claims, and that they obtained that testing before they were informed of the TGA's concerns.

"The TGA has now outlined its concerns with PCR Corp testing to all companies responsible for sunscreens manufactured using this base formulation.

"The TGA has also written to PCR Corp regarding its concerns and has not received a response."

The TGA said that Wild Child Laboratories has ceased production of the problematic formulation, and it is considering whether it will take regulatory action over sunscreens using the problematic base formula and tested by PCR for the Australian market.

"Each company is provided with an opportunity to respond to any proposed regulatory action before the TGA makes a decision," the TGA said.

In its statement, the TGA listed 21 sunscreens that used the same base formulation, which have been recalled, paused or are under TGA's review.

The TGA advises consumers who have purchased one of the affected sunscreens "may wish to consider using an alternative product until the TGA completes its review".

In a statement, CHOICE said: "While the TGA investigation continues, we're calling on sunscreen companies to confirm which lab verified their latest SPF results.

"Given the questions surrounding PCR, consumers are looking to brands to provide reassurance that their favourite sunscreen product is backed by strong testing practices.

"Today's announcement highlights, yet again, the importance of the TGA's investigation and the need for changes to how sunscreens are regulated and tested in Australia."