DermaRite Industries, a New Jersey-based firm that produces medical and skin care products, has issued a voluntary recall of several hand soaps, cleansers, and antiseptic products because they are contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia a bacteria that has the capability to cause serious infection. The recall includes top-selling products such as DermaKleen antiseptic lotion soap with vitamin E, KleenFoam antibacterial foam soap with aloe vera, DermaSarra external analgesic, and PeriGiene antiseptic cleanser, sold in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
The products under recall are offered in multiple sizes, such as 1,000-milliliter and 800-milliliter bottles for the soaps, and 7.5-ounce containers for the analgesic and cleanser, with expiration dates covering July 2025 to February 2027. The list of lots and reorder numbers affected can be accessed through official channels.
Burkholderia cepacia, commonly occurring in soil and water, is particularly dangerous for immunocompromised people. As DermaRite's recall notice states, while healthy consumers may have minor skin infections, those with compromised immune systems can develop potentially life-threatening bloodstream infections and sepsis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that the bacteria can be transmitted through contaminated surfaces, products, and direct person-to-person contact.
Symptoms of infection may be mild or absent, but where they do occur can be respiratory issues, fever, and exhaustion. Individuals who have chronic lung disease, like cystic fibrosis, are at an even greater risk. The CDC cautions that B. cepacia infection is difficult to treat because of antibiotic resistance.
DermaRite has already notified its distributors and customers by email, calling for their inventory to be immediately inspected and any contaminated products appropriately disposed of. The company reports that to date, it has received no adverse reaction reports associated with the contaminated products.
People who used these products and have symptoms are encouraged to consult a doctor as soon as possible. They should also inform the FDA's MedWatch program of any adverse effects.
The FDA has made public the recall notice to warn consumers across the country and forestall infections from these soiled skin care products.
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