Thousands of Hand Soap Cases Recalled Over Bacteria Contamination

Intercon Chemical Co. initiated voluntary recalls for over 2,500 cases of six distinct hand soap products on June 29, citing concerns over potential bacterial contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subsequently assigned these recalls a Class II designation, indicating that exposure to the affected products may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects, though the probability of serious health consequences is considered remote. The recalls encompass a range of products manufactured for various companies, including Intercon Chemical Company and the R.I. Williams Company.

Two specific hand soaps, Intercon Foaming Pear Soap With Aloe and Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soup with Aloe, were recalled due to potential contamination with specific bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas monteilii, Serratia marcescens, and Serratia nematodiphila. The Intercon Foaming Pear Soap With Aloe, packaged in 28.7 fl oz bottles, has UPC 789745002981, manufacturing code FICCB-HB-4X28-0948, and was associated with lot codes AF97312, 26-01001, and 26-01803. These products had best by dates of January 12, 2028; March 13, 2028; and March 2028. A total of 693 cases of this product were recalled. The Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soup with Aloe, in 1000mL containers, carries UPC 789745002615 and manufacturing code FICCB-HB-4X1L-0948. Its affected lot codes are 26-01001 and 26-01803, with best by dates of March 13, 2028, and March 2028. Intercon Chemical Company in St. Louis manufactured 143 cases of this soap.

The remaining four recalled hand soaps were flagged for a potential bacterial contamination without specifying the exact bacterial strains in the provided details. These include Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap (28.7 fl oz), manufactured for R.I. Williams Company in Conover, North Carolina. This product has UPC 810080570030 and manufacturing code FRL01-HB-6X28-0948. Its recalled lot codes are BF97303, BF97304, and BF97305, with best by dates of February 3, 4, and 5, 2028. A total of 1040 cases of Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap were impacted. Another product, Vestis Foaming Hand Soup, Fresh Pear Scent (33.8 fl oz), with UPC 810080570405 and manufacturing code FRL01-HB-6X33-0948, also faced recall. Lot codes for this product include BF97306, BF97307, and BF97308, with best by dates of February 6, 7, and 8, 2028. The number of recalled cases for Vestis Foaming Hand Soup was 750. The specific details for the final two recalled products were not fully provided in the source material, but the total number of recalled cases across all six products exceeds 2,500.