Jergens Skin Moisturizer Recalled, Possibly Tainted With Bacteria

CINCINNATI, OH — Two sizes of a popular Jergens skin lotion produced in October were recalled this month that could be tainted with bacteria, federal authorities said.

Kao USA Inc. voluntarily recalled 3-ounce and 10-ounce bottles of Jergens Ultra Healing Moisturizer that were manufactured between Oct. 1 and Oct. 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday. The company announced the recall March 11.

Some bottles could contain Pluralibacter gergoviae, a bacterium that typically isn't dangerous for healthy people, but can infect people with medical problems such as weakened immune systems.

The bacteria can be found in cosmetic products such as skin and care can cause severe, deadly infections, according to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. Contact with mucous membranes and open wounds can allow the bacteria to enter the bloodstream both with leave-on and rinse-off products.

Infections have been connected to respiratory diseases, urinary tract infections, endophthalmitis (an infection of the inside of the eye) and blood poisoning, the institute said. Infections are very rare in healthy people, but clinical outbreaks have been reported. Many strains are resistant to antibiotics, which makes treatment more difficult.

"During an outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit in Malaysia, 11 infants developed sepsis caused by P. gergoviae and the bacterium was detected both in saline/sugar solution used to dissolve parenterally administered drugs and on he hands of the nursing staff," the institute said.

The institute added: "Infections can lead to serious clinical pictures as a result of an inflammatory reaction of various tissues and organs, in which septic processes with fatal consequences are possible."

Kao USA urged buyers to stop using the lotion as a precaution.

"Further investigation to determine the scope of the issue is still ongoing. However, Kao USA Inc. promptly took the precautionary step of issuing a voluntary recall of the affected product by removing the product in question from warehouses, working with retailers to ensure the product is removed from store shelves, and proactively notifying consumers," the FDA said in a recall notice.

IDENTIFYING THE AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Three-Ounce Bottle

The affected lot codes for the 3-ounce bottle (UPC 019100109971 for single bottles and 019100267114 for a pack of three) can be found on the back of the bottle. They're printed in black ink and begin with the prefix "ZU":

• ZU712851
• ZU712871
• ZU712911
• ZU722881
• ZU712861
• ZU712881
• ZU722851

Ten-Ounce Bottle

Affected lot codes for the 10-ounce bottle (UPC 019100109988) can be found on the bottom of the bottle printed in black ink and also begin with the prefix "ZU":

• ZU722741
• ZU722781
• ZU732791
• ZU732811
• ZU722771
• ZU732781
• ZU732801
• ZU732821

Kao USA Inc. plans to inform regulators about the issue and is working with partners to improve its cleaning and sanitization practices to prevent future contamination.

Anyone who bought the lotion should call Kao USA's consumer care center for a free product coupon at the following number: 1-800-742-8798 or email consumer@kao.com.