Contamination prompts urgent safety warning
DermaRite Industries, a North Bergen, New Jersey-based manufacturer, has issued a voluntary recall of certain handsoap products after internal testing revealed contamination with the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia). The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reported the findings in an August safety notice. While the bacteria generally pose little threat to healthy individuals, they can cause serious and potentially fatal infections in people with weakened immune systems.
The company stated that the contaminated soap may be used by patients with underlying health conditions or by healthcare providers and caregivers attending to them. In healthy individuals, exposure through cuts may result in localized infections, whereas in immunocompromised people, the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream, triggering life-threatening sepsis.
Distribution and scope of the recall
The recalled handsoap was distributed across the United States and Puerto Rico, though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration did not specify which retailers carried the affected products. As of August 8, DermaRite reported no confirmed cases of illness linked to the contamination. However, authorities are urging anyone who has purchased the soap to stop using it immediately and to follow safe disposal procedures.
The recall notice emphasizes that individuals who have used the affected products should monitor for signs of infection and contact a healthcare provider if they develop symptoms potentially related to B. cepacia exposure.
Understanding B. cepacia and its risks
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, B. cepacia is generally harmless to healthy people. However, it can pose severe risks to those with compromised immune systems, particularly individuals with chronic lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis. In vulnerable patients, the bacteria can lead to pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and other complications.
Health officials recommend heightened vigilance among hospitals, nursing facilities, and home caregivers to ensure the recalled soap is removed from circulation. Preventing exposure in high-risk settings is critical to minimizing potential outbreaks.