In March 2006, nine lawsuits were filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles against makers of popular sunscreen brands Coppertone, Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, Bullfrog and Neutrogena -- for allegedly advertising false and misleading claims about the effectiveness of their products, thereby impressing upon the consumers that they are safe from the dangers of prolonged sun exposure.
Plaintiffs' attorneys are seeking class-action status for suits against Johnson & Johnson Inc., Schering-Plough Corp., Playtex Products Inc., Tanning Research Laboratories Inc. and Chattem Inc.
The suits focus on labels that claim "waterproof," "all day," "UVA/UVB protection," and "sunblock" – marketing copies that are allegedly misleading. For one, the 1999 edition of FDA labeling rules have banned the use of "all day," "waterproof," saying they were unsupported and potentially misleading.