US salons, shoppers urged to check Schwarzkopf mousse recalled over explosion risk

Recalled cans of hair mousse are putting salons and shoppers on alert after federal regulators warned that a packaging defect could turn an everyday styling product into a safety hazard.

Because the product was sold to both salon professionals and retail shoppers, affected cans could still be sitting in salon stockrooms, bathroom cabinets, or styling kits across twelve states.

What happened?

Federal regulators with the FDA said Henkel Corporation has started a voluntary recall of Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Grip hair mousse in the 6.76-fluid-ounce (200-milliliter) size.

Officials said the problem involves the can, not the mousse itself. According to the FDA, the product "could leak from the package while under pressure, which creates a risk of explosion."

The affected mousse products were distributed to a dozen states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.

The FDA said Henkel became aware of the issue after receiving one customer complaint and two reports from salons. A bruised hand was reported in one case, but thankfully, no other injuries have been reported.

Regulators said the recall is limited to this product and does not include other Henkel items. 

What can I do?

Anyone who purchased the recalled mousse should stop using it and, according to the FDA, return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

These pressurized personal care products are common in salon settings, where they are handled frequently and stored in large quantities. This means that salon owners and stylists should immediately check back-room inventory and any retail shelves that carry take-home products for clients. 

Because these products are used near the hands and face and around heated styling tools, injuries are certainly possible if explosions occur. And since the mousse was sold through both professional and retail channels, affected cans could show up in multiple places.

Consumers should also double-check the product size and recall details before discarding unaffected items. The FDA said no other Henkel products are part of this recall, and Osis Grip cans with codes outside the recalled lot numbers are safe to use.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.