Fabuloso, Cleanser To Eliminate Bacteria, May Contain Germs: Recall

ACROSS AMERICA — In one of the classic ironies in modern consumerism, the Colgate-Palmolive Co. is recalling about 4.9 million bottles of a cleanser intended to eliminate germs because it may contain germs that can cause serious infections.

The notice posted Wednesday on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website said five scented varieties of Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaners are recalled because they may contain Pseudomonas species bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens, which are environmental organisms found widely in soil and water.

Though the nationwide recall involves about 4.9 million bottles, about 3.9 million of them — or 80 percent — were never distributed for sale, Fabuloso said on its website. The recall also included about 56,000 bottles of the cleanser distributed in Canada.

Fabuloso cited a manufacturing issue in which a preservative was not added at intended levels. “With inadequate preservative, there is a risk of bacteria growth in the recalled products,” Fabuloso said.

The affected products were made between Dec. 14, 2022, and Jan, 23, 2023, when the manufacturing issue was corrected,

Pseudomonas infections are generally harmless, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria is behind most infections in humans, including those of the blood, lungs (pneumonia) and other parts of the body after surgery.

It can enter the body if inhaled, through the eyes or through a break in the skin. People with healthy immune systems usually don’t have to worry, but people with weakened immune systems, external medical devices or underlying lung conditions may require treatment if theyre exposed to the bacteria, according to the CDC.

Also, the CDC has noted, these bacteria are constantly finding ways to avoid the effects of the antibiotics used to treat the infections they cause. Antibiotic resistance occurs when the germs no longer respond to the antibiotics designed to kill them. If they develop resistance to several types of antibiotics, these germs can become multidrug-resistant.

Anyone who bought any of the recalled products should call the Colgate-Palmolive Co. toll-free at 855-703-0166 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Time; online at www.Fabulosorecall.com; or at www.Fabuloso.com and click on the banner at the top of the landing page for more information.