A recallof hand soap is affecting products sold in Asheville and in stores across North Carolina and 14 other states.
Among the recalled products are two types of hand soap under the Laura Lynn brand, which is sold exclusively by Ingles supermarkets, which is based in Black Mountain and popular in Western N.C. These recalled hand soaps were confirmed by the FDA notice to have been sold in Asheville.
The recall was issued June 29 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and classified on Sept. 9. It is categorized as a Class II recall, meaning that use of or exposure to the recalled products may cause "temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences," or that the chance of serious adverse health consequences associated with the recalled products is "remote."
Here's what else we know about the recall so far.
What type of hand soap was recalled?
A total of 2,696 cases of hand soaps were recalled by Intercon Chemical Co., including:
- Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, 28.7 fl. oz., Manufactured for: Intercon Chemical Company, 1100 Central Industrial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110, UPC 789745002981, 693 cases
- Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, 1000mL (34 fl. oz.), Manufactured for: Intercon Chemical Company, 1100 Central Industrial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110, UPC 789745002615, 143 cases
- Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap, 28.7 fl. oz., Manufactured for: R.I. Williams Company, 409 Thornburg Drive SE, Conover, NC 28613, UPC 810080570030, 1,040 cases
- Vestis Foaming Hand Soap, Fresh Pear Scent, 33.8 fl. oz., Distributed by: Vestis, 1035 Alpharetta Street, Suite 2100, Roswell, GA 30075, UPC 810080570405, 225 cases
- Laura Lynn honey apple crisp Liquid Hand Soap, 8 fl. oz., Distributed by: Ingles Markets, Inc., Asheville, NC 28816, UPC 086854074305, 301 cases
- Laura Lynn Foaming pear scent Hand Soap with Moisturizers, 7.5 fl. oz., Distributed by: Ingles Markets, Inc Asheville, NC 28816, UPC 08685407408, 294 cases
Why was Laura Lynn, other hand soap recalled?
Two of the recalled products - Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe and Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe - were recalled specifically for potential contamination with:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, putida and monteilii - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes Pseudomonas as a group of bacteria commonly found in the environment, including in soil and water. The most common type causing infections among humans is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in the blood, lungs, urinary tract or other parts of the body
- Serratia marcescens and Serratia nematodiphila - The Cleveland Clinic explains that Serratia are opportunistic bacteria that are widespread in the environment, with Serratia marcescens being the primary type infectious to humans. S. marcescens can also cause infections in the blood, lungs, urinary tract or other parts of the body.
The other recalled products were recalled for general potential bacterial contamination, with no specific species of bacteria mentioned.
Where was hand soap recalled? Was recalled hand soap sold in North Carolina?
Two types of recalled hand soap were sold at Ingles stores in Asheville and in stores across North Carolina. A total of 301 cases of 8 fl. oz. bottles of Laura Lynn honey apple crisp liquid hand soap and 294 cases of 7.5 fl. oz. bottles of Laura Lynn foaming pear scent hand soap with moisturizers were recalled for potential bacterial contamination.
According to the FDA notice, 20 consignees of the recalled soap were recorded in the following 15 states:
- North Carolina
- Mississippi
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- Maryland
- South Carolina
- Wisconsin
- Georgia
- Pennsylvania
- California
- Illinois
- Iowa
- New York
- Texas
- Washington
What to do if you bought recalled hand soap
No press release was issued by the FDA on the recall of affected hand soaps. In general, when a recall is issued, the FDA and recalling organizations recommend not using recalled products and instead throwing them away or returning them to where they were purchased.
Washing items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled products using (non-recalled) soap and hot water or a dishwasher may also be recommended. Anyone who develops symptoms of bacterial infection should call a healthcare provider for treatment.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Ingles hand soap, others recalled in NC for bacterial contamination
