Hand soap sold at Walmart might have a bacterial problem. The recall was low-key
FRIDAY UPDATE: A statement from Scent Theory was sent to the Miami Herald and has been added to the bottom of the story.
Like any modern company, Scent Theory used its Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts throughout January to advertise its products, including Lemon Citrus foaming hand soap.
Scent Theory didn’t use any social media platforms or its website to tell consumers they recalled Lemon Citrus and three other kinds of foaming hand soap earlier in January for possible Burkholderia cepacia bacterial contamination.
As of Wednesday morning, the website had no notation of the recalls nor did any of the social media pages. The website’s “Shop” area says only “Collection All Products is empty.” The social media accounts promote the availability of Scent Theory’s products at Walmart, just as Jan. 22 and Jan. 24 Twitter posts did using a photo of an 11-ounce Lemon Citrus bottle.
That was 17 days, according to an FDA recall summary, after 11-ounce bottles of Lemon Citrus, Vanilla Coconut, Fresh Lavender and Eucalyptus Mint foaming hand soaps were recalled. The distribution was “nationwide, including D.C. and Puerto Rico.” The summary says 636,416 bottles were recalled, but it’s unclear whether that’s total bottles recalled or number recalled of each scent.
Lot numbers recalled are T209-101, T217-101, T223-101 and T237-101 for Lemon Citrus; T209-104, T217-104, T237-102 and T223-104 for Vanilla Coconut; T209-102, T217-102 and T223-102 for Eucalyptus Mint; and T209-103, T217-103 and T223-103 for Fresh Lavender.
Google searching each variety shows eBay sellers of the soaps and Walmart online grocery links to each. The Eucalyptus Mint’s Walmart availability is broken out as a Google advertisement.
The recall isn’t on Walmart’s usually thorough online listing of product recalls. It’s not on the FDA’s list of recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts, where such recalls usually post. It posted on the FDA’s Cosmetics Recalls and Alerts page on Feb. 11.
New York-based Scent Theory hasn’t responded to a Miami Herald email yet.
Hand sanitizers sold under the Scent Theory brand were among the first on the FDA’s Do Not Use hand sanitizer list.
The CDC says Burkholderia cepacia infections pose “little medical risk to healthy people. However, people who have certain health problems like weakened immune systems or chronic lung diseases, particularly cystic fibrosis, may be more susceptible to infections...B. cepacia is a known cause of infections in hospitalized patients.”
The symptoms can range from none to “serious respiratory infections, especially in patients with cystic fibrosis.”
Scent Theory sent a statement on Thursday night:
“Scent Theory voluntary recalled the hand wash in question due to the potential presence of a bacteria naturally found in soil and water. We felt it was important to remove the product from sale as the prospect of any impurity in our product is unacceptable to us. None of the impacted lot Nos. are, or have been, on the shelves since 1/7/21.
In compliance with FDA procedures, we alerted them about our concerns and intended action. We have followed all guidance and criteria issued by FDA regarding voluntarily removing a product from the market.
FDA seeks publicity about a recall only when it believes the public needs to be alerted to a serious hazard. Our company’s actions regarding this matter were reviewed and found acceptable by the FDA.
To date we have shipped millions of units of our hand soap. No adverse reactions to these products have been reported by any customers to date.
Consumers who have this product at home may return it to us for a refund. For questions or additional information please send an email to info@scenttheory.com.”
This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 7:29 AM with the headline "Hand soap sold at Walmart might have a bacterial problem. The recall was low-key."
