Senator Richard Blumenthal: A Champion for Medication and Consumer Product Safety
Valisure is honored to work alongside U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, whose steadfast commitment to public health, regulatory oversight, and consumer protection continues to elevate the national conversation on pharmaceutical and product safety.
Senator Blumenthal has been a consistent advocate for Valisure’s mission—recently quoted in Valisure’s benzoyl peroxide press release and in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new laboratory and facility in New Haven, Connecticut. His ongoing support underscores the urgency of modernizing safety standards and prioritizing transparency in healthcare.
Pressing the FDA on Sunscreen Safety
In May 2021, following Valisure’s Citizen Petition to the FDA identifying benzene contamination in sunscreen products, Senator Blumenthal held a press conference at Hartford Hospital urging the FDA to use its updated authority to issue and finalize an administrative order regulating sunscreen safety.
“Tell the American public truthfully and transparently whether these sunscreen products are safe and effective and what precautions need to be taken,” said Blumenthal. “Some of the ingredients may cause allergies, bleeding, skin irritation, and even cancer.”
After the conference, Senator Blumenthal submitted a formal letter to then-FDA Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock, stressing the need for clear public guidance and swift regulatory action to protect consumers from potentially harmful and largely unregulated sunscreen ingredients.
Joint Action on Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatments
Most recently, Valisure proudly partnered with Senator Blumenthal to spotlight the urgent public health risks posed by the degradation of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) into benzene, a known human carcinogen, in widely used acne treatment products.
At a joint press conference in Hartford, Connecticut, Valisure Co-Founder & President David Light and Senator Blumenthal presented findings from Valisure’s investigation, which revealed that BPO-based acne products can form high levels of benzene—particularly when exposed to heat. These findings are especially concerning for younger consumers, who are among the most frequent users of acne medications.
The event was covered by NBC Connecticut and reported by Bloomberg, where Senator Blumenthal announced his formal letter to the FDA, calling for immediate recalls and enhanced oversight of BPO products.
“This is a wake-up call. Benzene has no place in consumer products, especially those marketed to teenagers,” said Senator Blumenthal.
A Shared Commitment to Public Health
Senator Blumenthal’s continued leadership has helped ensure that Valisure’s research is not only heard—but acted upon—at the highest levels of government. From product recalls to regulatory reforms, his advocacy has brought urgent attention to unsafe products and has supported meaningful steps toward accountability.
Valisure remains deeply grateful for his partnership and will continue working with policymakers to ensure transparency, consumer safety, and scientific rigor remain central to our nation’s healthcare system.
