Skin-care brand Jergens is voluntarily recalling one of its lotions because it might contain traces of bacteria that could cause infections in immunocompromised people. The Jergens lotion in question is the Ultra Healing Moisturizer, a popular product often marketed as a 48-hour moisturizer, that is used to help remedy dry skin. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the 3 oz. and 10 oz. sizes may contain Pluralibacter gergoviae, a type of bacteria that usually poses “little medical risk to healthy people” but can lead to infections in people with weakened immune systems.
This bacteria, formerly known as Enterobacter gergoviae, has been found in other cosmetics products in the past and has therefore led to a series of recalls, including with Cottonelle wipes in 2020. This species of bacteria can be responsible for causing nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections, including respiratory infections, soft tissue infections, and bone infections. It is rare that the bacteria will lead to these infections, but people who are immunocompromised or have an invasive medical device, like a urinary catheter, are more likely to be at risk of infection.
While Kao USA Inc., the owner of Jergens, is currently working with retailers to remove the affected product from store shelves and warehouses, it is instructing consumers to immediately stop using the affected products. But not all Jergens Ultra Healing Moisturizers are suspected to be contaminated with the bacteria. Only specific lots of the 3 oz. and 10 oz. sized bottles are affected—specifically ones manufactured between October 1, 2021 and October 18, 2021. To find out if you have a product this recall may impact, check out the lot codes which will be printed on either the back or bottom of the bottle in black ink. These include ZU712851, ZU712871, ZU712911, ZU722881, ZU712861, ZU712881, and ZU722851, for the 3 oz. size, and ZU722741, ZU722781, ZU732791, ZU732811, ZU722771, ZU732781, ZU732801, and ZU732821 for the 10 oz. size.
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If you do have one of these affected products, you can contact the Kao USA Inc. Consumer Care Center for a free product coupon. Call 1.800.742.8798 Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 AM—5 PM (ET) or email [email protected].
The brand says it is working with manufacturing partners to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future by improving cleaning and sanitization practices. In the meantime, if you experience, or have experienced, an adverse reaction to any of the affected products, alert FDA’s MedWatch Program by calling 888.463.633 or by submitting an online report.
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Source: SELF
