Specific 3 ounce (oz) and 10 oz bottles of the lotion may contain Pluralibacter gergoviae, a bacterium that typically poses little medical risk to healthy people, but can lead to serious illness in individuals with certain health problems, such as weakened immune systems, according to an announcement posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The microbiology lab MPL describes Pluralibacter gergoviae (formerly known as Enterobacter gergoviae) as an opportunistic, naturally occurring pathogen that has been linked with antibiotic-resistant outbreaks in hospitals and has been a recurrent contaminant in cosmetics and personal-care products over the years.
Who Is Most at Risk?
While most people experience no more than a temporary rash from exposure, those with immune system deficiencies or bacterial allergies may become severely sick. Small children can also become acutely ill. Individuals with serious symptoms — such as respiratory complications, high fevers, full-body weakness, and nausea or vomiting — should contact a doctor immediately. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Germany warns that the bacterium can enter the body via open wounds or the mucous membranes. “The only people that need to be concerned really about this are those who are immune compromised, or who may have open sores or cuts,” says William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor of preventive medicine and health policy at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. “This is bacteria that rarely if ever causes human infections. The average person need not have any worries.” Although an investigation to determine the scope of the problem is still ongoing, the manufacturer, Kao USA, said it has taken the precautionary step of issuing a voluntary recall of the affected product and removed the moisturizer from warehouses, is working with retailers to ensure the product is pulled from store shelves, and is proactively notifying consumers.
How Do You Know if You Have a Recalled Product?
The products in question were manufactured between October 1, 2021, and October 18, 2021. Lot codes on the affected 3 oz size are:
ZU712851ZU712861ZU712871ZU712881ZU712911ZU722851ZU722881
Lot codes on the affected 10 oz size are:
ZU722741ZU722771ZU722781ZU732781ZU732791ZU732801ZU732811ZU732821
Anyone who has a product from a recalled lot should call the Kao USA Inc. Consumer Care Center for a free product coupon at 800-742-8798, or send an email to: consumer@kao.com. Adverse events related to the use of this moisturizer should be reported via the FDA’s MedWatch Program.
