A New Jersey-based medical care and skin care products manufacturer is voluntarily recalling multiple types of hand soap, cleanser and antiseptic products due to bacteria contamination.
DermaRite Industries, LLC announced a recall of its DermaKleen antiseptic lotion soap with vitamin E in 1,000-milliliter and 800-milliliter sizes, as well as KleenFoam antibacterial foam soap with aloe vera (1,000-milliliter sizes), DermaSarra external analgesic (7.5-ounce sizes), and PeriGiene antiseptic cleanser (7.5-ounce sizes), all of which were distributed in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Impacted products have expiration dates ranging from July 2025 to February 2027. A full list of affected lot and reorder numbers can be found here.
The company recall announcement, dated Aug. 8, was also shared on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website over the weekend.
DermaRite said in its announcement that the impacted products are contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia, a type of bacteria that can cause serious or life-threatening infections.
“The contaminated products may be used by immunosuppressed individuals or by people attending to immunosuppressed individuals,” DermaRite stated. “In healthy individuals with minor skin lesions the use of the product will more likely result in local infections, whereas in immunocompromised individuals the infection is more likely to spread into blood stream leading to life-threatening sepsis.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that Burkholderia cepacia, also referred to as B. cepacia or Bcc, often spreads through soil and water sources, in addition to contaminated surfaces and products and through person-to-person contact.
When someone is infected with the bacteria, they may not exhibit any symptoms. If they do show symptoms, they may experience respiratory issues or a fever or fatigue.
People who are immunocompromised or those with chronic lung conditions including cystic fibrosis are at higher risk of becoming infected with B. cepacia, according to the CDC.
The bacteria can also be resistant to antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat, the CDC states.
DermaRite said it has already notified its distributors and customers via e-mail “to immediately examine available inventory” and to destroy any recalled products “in accordance with each facility’s process.”
The company said it has not received any reports of adverse reactions in connection with the recall. Anyone experiencing symptoms after product use should consult with their health care provider and report adverse reactions to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program, it added.
Customers with questions or those in need of further information on the recall can contact DermaRite by phone at (973) 569-9000, extension 104, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, or via email at [email protected].
ABC News has reached out to DermaRite Industries for comment.
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