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Pete Evans is telling his fans not to wear sunscreen now.

Paleo-loving celebrity chef Pete Evans certainly knows how to cook up a controversy.

He’s previously spruiked recipes for a dangerous “bone broth” for babies, and supported groups that claim flouride in water is “dangerous”.

But now the My Kitchen Rules chef has gone one step further — announcing he’s also anti-sunscreen.

On Saturday night, he told his 1.5 million Facebook fans it’s full of “poisonous chemicals.”

He also suggested that he and his two kids don’t wear it, prompting fury among science-respecting parents across the country.

The announcement came in a Q & A-style post on Evans' Facebook page, when a commenter asked him what he used as sunscreen.

The 43-year-old responded by saying he "generally" doesn't use any sunblock at all, and that people were "silly" for sunbathing wearing regular brands, The Sunday Telegraph reportes.

"People put on normal sunscreen then lay out in the sun for hours on end and think they are safe because they have covered themselves in poisonous chemicals, which is a recipe for disaster as we are witnessing today," he said.

He added that he occasionally used a product called Surf Mud, a zinc-based product that is not verified by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and that, according to it website, incorporates a "high-quality aromatic blend of essential oils and organic herbs."

"I use this when myself or my family spend an unnatural time in the suns direct heat," he said.

Evans' controversial claims about sunscreen have been slammed by health experts, who urged fans not to heed the irresponsible advice.

The Cancer Council told The Daily Mail Evans's comments were ill-informed.

"Australia experiences some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and we have strong evidence sunscreen reduces the risk of cancer," he said.

"It's surprising and disappointing that someone who has a public following would advise to the contrary."

The Cancer Council's director of education Terry Slevin chimed in, telling The Daily Mail: "'It's dangerous for the people who follow his advice."

Slevin said the UV absorbers that Evans refers to as "poisonous" had been appropriately deemed by safe by market watchdogs.

"The safety of the product is the responsibility of a government authority. UV absorbers have been in sunscreen for more than 20 years, they are proven and effective component of sunscreen."

Last year Evans, who has two daughters from a previous marriage, prompted outcry with his recipe for a bone marrow broth for babies.

The high levels of vitamin A in the DIY formula recipe was said by experts to contain extremely high levels of vitamin A for babies and inadequate levels of other nutrients, as Mamamia reported last year.

Evans has also apparently claimed that a Paleo diet could prevent autism: In 2014, Evans posted a 2100-word diatribe on his Facebook page, criticising the Dieticians Association of Australia and the Heart Foundation, and suggesting Australia's autism and mental illness rates are somehow linked to the healthy eating guidelines promoted by these two bodies.

Feature photo: Instagram

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Top Comments

Peter 8 years ago

Fully endorse the way Pete Evans is thinking re the hazardous of chemicals used in sunscreen but after research maybe he should not be endorsing Surf Mud and maybe wise to move to an alternative all natural product. The contents of Surf Mud as stated on the tin: mineral oil - a derivative of petroleum, natural lanolin has pesticide residue, iron oxides (if sourced naturally) can contain dangerous compounds and heavy metals. Also contains IPM (isopropyl myristate) a propane derivative which is very bad for sensitive skin and eyes and any product that contains IPM should not be used on the face. IPM is tested on animals to show clogging of pores and eye irritation. Another word for iron oxide is "rust".
Surf Mud hardly a natural product and not all natural occurring substances are safe. Noted on their website that it is not TGA approved because "testing procedure would contaminate the product or adding preservatives contaminates the product." BS.

I think someone should do a lot more research before endorsing this product as it is easy to find a more natural cosmetic alternative to sunscreen.


emily 8 years ago

As a chef he is hardly qualified to make these judgements, but seems to think he is an expert.