Hand soaps recall upgraded by FDA over bacterial contamination fears

Washing your hands with certain soaps might give you an infection.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just issued an enforcement report, giving soap company Intercon Chemical Co. a Class II recall status.

The Missouri-based brand initially issued a voluntary recall on June 29, in which six hand soap products were potentially contaminated with several types of Pseudomonas and Serratia bacteria, which may cause infections.

Products were distributed to 20 recipients — 19 wholesalers and one retailer — located across 15 states: North Carolina, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Maryland, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Texas, and Washington.

Many of the soaps may be in use at businesses or other public spaces, with one product — under the Laura Lynn brand — shipped to retail for consumers to buy directly. If you have any of the soaps, stop using them immediately.

If any symptoms of illness start, contact your health care provider.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pseudomonas is a group of bacteria that are found in soil and water. P. aeruginosa is the most likely type of bacterium to cause blood infections, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections.

Serratia marcescens bacteria may also cause blood infections, pneumonia, and UTIs, plus eye, stomach, brain, bone, and heart infections. Both types of bacteria can be treated with antibiotics.

According to the FDA’s compliance report, the recall is ongoing and was initiated by the company.

The FDA identified the following six products in the recall, along with their quantities and identification codes:

• Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, 28.7 fluid ounces: 693 cases. UPC code 789745002981 and best-by dates: 01/12/2028, 03/13/2028, 03/28
• Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap with Aloe, 1,000 milliliters: 143 cases. UPC code 789745002615 and best-by dates: 03/13/28, 03/28
• Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap, 28.7 fluid ounces: 1,040 cases. UPC code 810080570030 and best-by dates: 02/03/2028, 02/04/2028, 02/05/2028
• Vestis Foaming Hand Soap, Fresh Pear Scent, 33.8 fluid ounces: 225 cases. UPC code 810080570405 and best-by date: 05/28
• Laura Lynn Honey Apple Crisp Liquid Hand Soap, 8 fluid ounces: 301 cases. UPC code 086854074305 and best-by dates: 11/05/26, 03/28
• Laura Lynn Foaming Pear Scent Hand Soap with Moisturizers, 7.5 fluid ounces: 294 cases. UPC code 08685407408 and best-by date: 03/13/28