A growing sunscreen scandal in Australia, the world’s largest skin cancer hotspot, has escalated with 18 products now withdrawn from shelves due to safety concerns. The issue came to light in June when a consumer advocacy group revealed that several popular and high-priced sunscreens failed to deliver the protection levels advertised by their manufacturers. One such product, Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen Skinscreen, marketed as SPF 50+, was found to offer only SPF 4 and was voluntarily recalled last month. Further investigations by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have identified around 20 additional sunscreens from various brands that share a problematic base formula, raising serious doubts about the integrity of a US-based testing laboratory, Princeton Consumer Research Corp (PCR Corp). The TGA’s preliminary testing suggests that the base formula may not exceed SPF 21, with some products potentially as low as SPF 4. Wild Child Laboratories Pty Ltd, the manufacturer of the base formula, has ceased production. Of the 21 products flagged by the TGA, eight have been recalled or halted, ten have paused sales, and two are under review. One product, though made in Australia, is not sold domestically. The scandal has sparked significant consumer outrage in Australia, with experts warning of potential global repercussions. The TGA is now scrutinizing SPF testing standards, which it describes as ‘highly subjective,’ and has expressed concerns about PCR Corp’s testing practices. The BBC has reached out to PCR Corp and Wild Child Laboratories for comment. Australia, which has the highest skin cancer rates globally, enforces some of the strictest sunscreen regulations worldwide.