Banana Boat Class Action Says SPF 100 Sunscreen Closer to 24

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Banana Boat faces a class action lawsuit alleging their kids’ sunscreen products contain a much weaker SPF than advertised.

Lead plaintiff Kelly Keskinen alleges in her class action lawsuit that Banana Boat Kids MAX Protect & Play Lotion Sunscreen and Spray Sunscreen are both advertised as SPF 100. However, says the plaintiff, independent studies have shown that the products are actually closer to SPF 24.

“In short, Defendants sell this product as an SPF 100 sunscreen — designed for children — when in fact its SPF is well under 100, and actually in the 20s,” alleges the Banana Boat class action lawsuit. “Plaintiff and the class purchased this sunscreen without knowing that the SPF claims were false, and they paid a premium for this sunscreen based on its purported SPF level. Plaintiff and the class bring this action in order to recoup these overcharges.”

Keskinen says she purchased the sunscreen for her grandchildren on multiple occasions because she thought it provided better protection than sunscreen with lower SPF.

“Defendants also charge a premium for this higher level of protection,” alleges the Banana Boat class action lawsuit. “While Banana Boat Kids SPF 100 sells for $2.25/oz., Defendants’ SPF 50 sunscreen for children sells for less than half that, and their SPF 30 products are even cheaper.”

The complaint alleges that sun-induced health problems have been on the rise and children are particularly at risk for injury from sunburns. Consumers rely on representations about SPF levels on sunscreen products to keep them and their children safe.

“Children are particularly susceptible to sunburn,” alleges the Banana Boat lawsuit. “Not only do they spend more time outdoors than adults, their skin is thinner and more sensitive than an adult’s, so they burn more quickly. What’s worse, according to John Hopkins’ Medical Library, overexposure to sunlight before the age of 18 ‘is mo[re] damaging to the skin’ than overexposure at a later age, and repeated severe sunburns — as a child — can increase the likelihood of an individual’s developing skin cancer later in life.”

According to the class action lawsuit, Banana Boat not only puts children at risk of additional exposure to the sun, they trick consumers into paying more for less powerful sunscreen. Specifically, Keskinen says Banana Boat both markets the product for children by including “KIDS” on the description as well as by claiming the sunscreen provides “our maximum lotion protection for active kids, protecting them from 99% of UVB” on their website.

The plaintiff claims that in 2017 an independent lab tested Banana Boat sunscreen and determined that the SPF of the product was only 24. Banana Boat knew or should have known their sunscreen was less powerful, alleges the Banana Boat class action. Further demonstrating the uselessness of the SPF 24 sunscreen, says the plaintiff, Banana Boat doesn’t even make a product under SPF 50.

Keskinen seeks to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who purchased Banana Boat Kids SPF 100 sunscreen between Oct. 21, 2011 and the present, along with a California subclass. The plaintiff alleges that Banana Boat has engaged in false advertising, fraud, breached warranties, and violated California consumer protection law.

The plaintiff is seeking damages and an injunction against Banana Boat.

Keskinen is represented by Marc L. Godino of Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, and Kevin Landau, Brett Cebulash and Miles Greaves of Taus, Cebulash & Landau LLP.

The Banana Boat SPF False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit is Keskinen v. Edgwell Personal Care Co., et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-07721-AB-PJW, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.