The Sunscreen Saga goes on, and NEVER ends!

After a failed attempt to buy the kids some sunscreen 2 weeks ago, it was manufactured in 2003, over 5 years old. I attempted to buy another bottle yesterday. I got the Coppertone Water Babies that was giving $2 ECB's back this week. I couldn't forget the problem with the outdated sunscreen last time, so I called Coppertone to find out if this bottle was good. No, this bottle was manufactured in 2005. We live in NY, so no, sunscreen does not sell regularly year round, half the year we all hide out in our igloos, trying not to freeze!

I had just sent my son to his school picnic in this stuff, he was going to be outside for hours! (He was fine when I picked him up, pink face, but not badly burnt like I had feared) I called the CVS 800# and told the woman what was going on. She had the nerve to say that it wasn't CVS's fault, Coppertone and all the other companies should have expiration dates on their products if it's something that will go bad. I personally think both the store selling the product and the manufacturer are at fault here. Why can't the sunscreen companies clearly mark each bottle with an expiration date? Are we supposed to use our cells phones to call the companies right there in the stores before we can feel safe buying their product? And, why can't CVS check their inventory once in a while? I read about the lawsuit here in NY over this exact issue, but sunscreen isn't even required to have a date on it, they use a code. I do however think they may have issues with their inventory if they only have to order sunscreen once every 5 years. Do you know how many times I've found something at CVS that was marked 75% off, only to check the expiration date and find that it had expired months, if not years earlier?

I will be making yet another trip to this CVS to return the sunscreen. This is one of my favorite CVS's & I hate to be making a stink, but I see this as a safety issue. This year was the first time I actually thought to check into this. But, after seeing what a problem it is, I wonder how many other people are buying sunscreen for their children that is outdated and ineffective.

So, am I making too much out of this? What would you guys do?

When it comes to my family, I would make a huge deal over this. This is a safety issue, not just now, but skin cancer when they get older. CVS should check their shelves to make sure things are good. My CVS is open 24 hours, but it is always a huge mess, because nobody works they all stand around and talk. I hate to go there, but I love the sales.

I think its a big deal and it would bother me. Expired products are just that, expired. They should not be for sale, anywhere. You shouldn't have to check the dates before you purchase something! Unfortunatly, I feel it is necessary.

A lot of people just don't realize that things expire and can become dangerous for their children, such as sunscreen and carseats.

Didn't I just see a post on cvs getting sued for selling out of date items?

I used to work in a retail store that sold a lot of animal/pet food. a lot of our dog food was stamped with a 'date code' that meant nothing to you unless you knew how to read the date code. they told us that the point of stamping a "code" versus a plain expiration date was that they didn't want customers rotating the stock for us - taking the new stuff versus taking the stuff that expired first.

I always thought it sounded ridiculous because, as a consumer, if I have a choice between a carton of eggs that exp tomorrow versus next week, I want the ones that are good for longer.

cvs employees should be trained to read the code on the bottles to ensure that the stock is properly rotated. unfortunately, it doesn't occur to a lot of people that stuff like sunscreen expires (DH still uses a bottle of aloe vera he got when he was in the Navy...he's been out for almost six years - eeeeewwww! won't let me toss it)

I did read the post about cvs being sued for selling expired products in NY. sounds like you should contact the atty general or something. or maybe the BBB since they insisted it wasn't their fault.

if you don't want to make a stink at your nice cvs store, return it to one you don't really like. one store should accept another's returns.

Couponingdiva

I hope everything goes well! We never used sunscreen when we were kids either, back then my dad would smoke with all of us in the car too. It's amazing the things we've learned!

Thanks for your support!

Your little one's adorable!

Make a big deal about it. My day care provider took my then 6 month old outside on the first nice day after a very long winter (I live in Maine). She put sunscreen on her and figured she'd be fine. When I picked her up, she was bright red. My mom has skin cancer, and I'm really particular about making sure Kaia is covered. I was not happy. But it turns out that even though the provider had bought the sunscreen the previous summer, it was expired.

Some of the newer bottles do have expiration dates on the bottom, but of course you wouldn't know that since all your sunscreen was manufactured years ago.

This is something that I would never have thought to check... thanks for informing us.

And yes I would return it and make a stink. Even though skin cancer doesn't run in my family, without proper protection, I would be afraid that my children could be at risk.

I would make a stink too!! its your family and their well being at stake!

I would definitely take it back. Sunscreen is something I don't skimp on when it comes to my child. Very important!!!

Definitely take it back, but realize that we don't always have the knowledge to read coded expiration dates. Not to say we shouldn't - I wish we all knew how to read different codes.

The only coded dates I know how to read are the ones that come on Hershey's candy bars. Nestle also has their own code, but a rep usually comes in and checks all the dates for us. I think I've seen someone for Banana Boat or Hawaiian Tropic as well, but not very often.

I would make a huge stink about this....phone calls,e-mails whatever it takes. If we the consumer cannot read the expiration dates, what's the point? I will say the Nuetrogena spray all have exp. that you can read. They always seem to be on sale or give ecbs and my 4 yr old and I have yet to burn in the sun and we both have very fair skin tones!! Good luck and keep us posted!!!!

I have three children, and Sun is a BIG issue since I am photosensitive. (Sun exposure without the proper protection causes WELTS and SORES on me.
I however, do not find CVS at fault. It is the fault of the manufacturer IMO
If it is a code that cannot be read by "the average person" then why should CVS employees be expected to know (ALL THE CODES) for a vast array of products?
It is my job as a parent to make informed decisions.
I NEVER buy a product that doesn't have the informaiton I need. Expiration is IMPORTANT.
If you look into individual products, you will find that MANY things in your household are good after expiration.
For instance, OTC medications and even most prescription meds.
Now, I agree, that 5 years is extreme, And I would certainly return the item. But to take out your frustration on CVS for something they DO NOT control, would be IMO not right.

I am OVER protective of my kids, but I clearly do not see this as a CVS fault.

Go to walmart, Kmart, target etc. These very same products are for sale on their shelves too.

I respectfully disagree. IMHO it's the store's responsibility to make sure they are not selling something that has expired. I DO think the Manufacturer should put easy to read expiration dates on things. But for a lot of retail stores stuff can sit in their distribution center for some time before being sent to the stores. The Manufacturer has very little control over that aspect.

I think that both of them have ownership in this problem. But you, as the consumer, should be able to trust that CVS is not selling you expired items. It is their job to insure that the items you purchase from them (and they make a profit on) is what you want and is still good.

This is true of Walmart, Kmart, Target etc as well. I'm certainly not singling out CVS.

Just my 2 cents,
Linz

I would also make a big deal out of it! I live in South Carolina - at the beach- a