Recall: Cancer Council Clear Zinc Kids SPF50+ sunscreen

As we head into a hot summer and Australians are stocking up on sunscreen, another product from a leading brand has been recalled. 

Three batches of Cancer Council Sunscreen Clear Zinc Kids SPF50+ (110g) were recalled this week due to the potential for the product to become separated.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) says: “The product may appear to have an uneven texture and visible water separating out of the product. If this happens, the ingredients are no longer properly mixed.

“If the product is separated, it will be more difficult to spread evenly on skin, and could reduce the overall performance of the product. This could affect the SPF of the sunscreen and may cause inadequate sun protection.”

In June, CHOICE flagged this same product as one that did not meet its SPF claims in our testing. We revealed that 16 out of 20 sunscreens failed to meet their SPF claims. In our testing, the Cancer Council Sunscreen Clear Zinc Kids 50+ returned an SPF of 33 rather than 50+.

The TGA says this latest recall is unrelated to the ongoing investigation into SPF testing that it initiated after the CHOICE report and which has resulted in the recall of other sunscreen products. 

In a statement on its website, the Cancer Council said: “We have identified that three batches of one of our products, Cancer Council Clear Zinc Kids SPF50+ 110g, do not meet our quality standards and are initiating a product recall to ensure customers continue to receive the level of quality they expect from us.”

No other Cancer Council products have been affected.

“Consumers should be able to trust the claims made by sunscreen suppliers. Particularly as we move into the hottest part of the year, it’s good to see products with issues recalled, ” says Andy Kelly, director of campaigns and communication at CHOICE.

Which products are affected?

Cancer Council Clear Zinc Kids SPF50+ 110g (AUST L: 430534, Barcode 9321299800661)

Batch 1141313 – Expiry: June 2027

Batch 1143730 – Expiry: August 2027

Batch 1146857 – Expiry: November 2026

What should I do if I have this sunscreen?

If you have one of the above batches of the product, do not use it. Return the product to the place of purchase, or contact info@vitalitybrands.com or call 1300 364 515 to arrange the return of the product for a replacement or refund.

Other recalled sunscreens

The first sunscreen to be recalled following the independent CHOICE review in June 2025 was Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+, after the product returned an SPF of 4 in our testing.

The TGA has since issued recalls of over 20 sunscreens that share the same base formulation as Ultra Violette Lean Screen.

Advice for choosing and wearing sunscreen

How do I know which sunscreens to buy?

The most important thing to remember when choosing a sunscreen is that it shouldn’t be your only line of defence against the sun. Seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, a broad-rimmed hat and sunglasses and using an SPF50 or SPF50+, broad-spectrum and water-resistant sunscreen, particularly when the UV rating is 3 and above, are all vital. 

It’s also important to ensure you’re applying enough sunscreen (you’ll need 35mL or around seven teaspoons for full-body coverage) and reapplying every two hours, and immediately after swimming, sweating or towel-drying.

You can view the results of our sunscreen testing to ensure you’re buying a product that meets its SPF claims.

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Pru Engel

Pru Engel is the Audience and Engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.  She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaigns team on content covering issues such as grocery pricing, product safety and scams.  Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.  Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney. Find Pru on LinkedIn.

Pru Engel is the Audience and Engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.  She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaigns team on content covering issues such as grocery pricing, product safety and scams.  Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.  Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney. Find Pru on LinkedIn.