Before you reach for the hand soap by your sink, you might want to double check the bottle. Intercon Chemical Co. issued a voluntary recall for 2,696 cases of hand soap back on June 29 — and late last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bumped that recall up to a Class II risk classification, which is the second-highest level they issue.
Six different products are on the list, and they were sold across 15 states. Keep reading to find out which states were affected and what this may mean for you.
Why was hand soap from Intercon Chemical Co. recalled?
Intercon Chemical Co., based in St. Louis, voluntarily recalled six hand soap products on June 29 after testing raised concerns about potential bacterial contamination. On September 11, the FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning exposure to the affected soap could lead to temporary or medically reversible health effects.
Across the six recalled products, there is potential contamination with the following bacterial strains: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas monteilii, Serratia marcescens and Serratia nematodiphila. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pseudomonas and Serratia bacteria are often associated with infections acquired in healthcare settings, though they’re naturally present in the environment, including in soil and water.
In total, the recall covers 2,696 cases of handsoap. The impacted hand soaps are listed below:
- Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, 28.7 fl. oz.
- Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, 34 fl. oz.
- Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap, 28.7 fl. oz.
- Vestis Foaming Hand Soap, Fresh Pear Scent, 33.8 fl. oz.
- Laura Lynn Honey Apple Crisp Liquid Hand Soap, 8 fl. oz.
- Laura Lynn Foaming Pear Scent Hand Soap With Moisturizers, 7.5 fl. oz.
These soaps were sold in the following 15 states:
- California
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Washington
- Wisconsin
What to do if you have the recalled hand soap
If you have any of the six recalled products in your home or workplace, stop using them immediately. At this time, there is no information on whether or not Intercon is offering refunds to customers who purchased recalled hand soap.
Finally, if you’ve used the soap and start feeling unwell — even mildly — seek medical attention right away.
Other hand soaps to use instead
Just because the above hand soaps were recalled, doesn’t mean you should stop using hand soap all together. The below hand soaps are products NBC Selected has written about previously or ones that our editors love — none of which have been recalled at the time of publishing.
NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin says that this aloe-scented hand soap is a personal favorite — she says the formula is hydrating and she appreciates how budget-friendly it is. Also nice: You can purchase large bottles of soap to refill the original dispenser, and refill bottles are recyclable once they’re empty.
Malin has also used Clean Cult’s hand soap to refill her dispensers. The soap comes in recyclable paper cartons and the formula contains aloe as well as essential oils. You can purchase the soap in scents like Sea Minerals, Lemon Verbena and Wild Lavender.
I love a fancy hand soap — it’s a little treat I give myself. This one from Aesop has been my pick lately. The scent is a combo of citrus and wood and the formula leaves my hands soft after washing. I also like how the sleek bottle looks great sitting on my bathroom sink.
NBC Selected senior editor Shalwah Evans has been using this soap for the last five years after a friend bought her a bundle as a housewarming gift. “I like that it’s mild enough that it doesn’t dry out my hands and leave my finger webs white and crispy, but it also makes my hands feel clean when I use it, especially after handling food,” she says. She buys the refill cartons and keeps a bottle on her bathroom sink and kitchen sink at all times.
If you need to clean your hands on the go, this Touchland trio is a solid pick. The dye-free, hydrating spray doesn’t have the sticky residue of gel sanitizers, smells great and moisturizes skin. Just remember: Hand sanitizer isn’t a replacement for proper hand washing, but it’s a great backup when soap and water aren’t available.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness and lifestyle, among other topics. I have also written about the cyclosporiasis outbreak, the recent recall on eggs and how to relieve shoulder pain.
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