NJ company DermaRite recalls certain soaps, cleansers due to potentially deadly bacteria
NORTH BERGEN, New Jersey (WABC) -- A company in New Jersey has issued a voluntary nationwide recall for various versions of their products due to a potentially deadly bacteria.
DermaRite Industries has recalled several of its soaps, cleansers, and additional products due to a microbial contamination called Burkholderia cepacia.
The company says Burkholderia Cepacia Complex in the recalled products could result in serious and life-threatening infections.
Use of the products by immunocompromised individuals or those attending to them could lead to infection more likely to spread into the blood stream, leading to life-threatening sepsis, the company said. Use by healthy individuals with minor skin lesions is more likely to result in local infections.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that Burkholderia cepacia, also referred to as B. cepacia or Bcc, often spreads through soil and water sources, in addition to contaminated surfaces and products and through person-to-person contact.
When someone is infected with the bacteria, they may not exhibit any symptoms. If they do show symptoms, they may experience respiratory issues or a fever or fatigue.
So far, the company has not received any reports of adverse events related to the recall.
The company has notified its distributors and customers via email, asking them to check their products and to destroy any items mentioned in the recall.
The recalled products were distributed across the United States of America and Puerto Rico. Impacted products have expiration dates ranging from July 2025 to February 2027.
For specific information including reorder numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates, see the listings on the FDA website.
The recalled products include:
DermaKleen:
An OTC Healthcare antiseptic lotion soap with Vitamin E, indicated for handwashing to decrease bacteria on the skin.
DermaKleen 1000ml. bag-n-box, 10/case, DermaKleen 800ml. bag-n-box, 12/case
DermaSarra:
An OTC External analgesic indicated for temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations due to: dry skin, insect bites, detergents, sunburn.
DermaSarra 7.5oz, 24/case
KleenFoam:
An OTC Antimicrobial foam soap with Aloe Vera indicated for handwashing to decrease bacteria on the skin after changing diapers, after assisting ill people, or before contact with a person under medical care or treatment.
KleenFoam 1000ml. 6/case
PeriGiene:
An OTC Antiseptic cleanser indicated for use in the perineal area.
PeriGiene 7.5oz., 48/case
Anyone with questions can call 973-569-9000 X104 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email voluntary.action@dermarite.com.
If consumers have experienced any issues that could be related to taking or using the recalled products, they should contact their physician or healthcare provider, and adverse reactions or quality problems can be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by mail, or by fax.
(ABC News contributed to this report.)
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
