A popular luxury shampoo sold at major retailers, including Target, Sephora and Walmart in California, has been recalled after testing found contamination with a bacteria that could pose a health risk to some consumers.
Kao USA Inc. announced a voluntary recall of specific lots of Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo on July 1 after discovering the presence of Pluralibacter gergoviae, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The affected products were distributed to retailers throughout the United States and Canada, meaning California consumers may also have purchased the recalled shampoo.
While the bacteria is generally not considered a serious threat to healthy people, federal officials warn it may cause infections in people with weakened immune systems or certain underlying medical conditions.
Here’s more on the recalled shampoo in California:
What does the recalled shampoo look like?
The recall includes the following Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo products:
Both sizes of the recalled shampoo were manufactured between Feb. 21 and Feb. 26 this year. Lot codes are printed in black on the bottom of the bottle.
What should California consumers do?
Anyone who has one of the affected shampoo bottles should stop using it immediately and dispose of the product.
Consumers who experienced an adverse reaction or have questions about the recall can contact the Kao Professional Hair Technical Hotline at 800-333-2442 or email oribecomplaints@kao.com.
The company is also working with retailers to remove affected products from store shelves.
California consumers who purchased Oribe hair products at salons, beauty supply stores or national retail chains should check the UPC and lot codes before using the shampoo. Even if a bottle appears normal, consumers are urged not to use any product included in the recall and should follow the company’s disposal and replacement instructions.
What is Pluralibacter gergoviae bacteria?
Pluralibacter gergoviae is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that is considered unlikely to cause infection to healthy people, but can cause infections to immunocompromised individuals, Microchem Labratory said.
“More recently, P. gergoviae has been implicated in several recalls involving cosmetic products such as eye and skin creams as well as baby shampoo,” Microchem Labratory said. “This bacterium is resistant to parabens, a common antimicrobial agent in cosmetics, as well as several antibiotics.”
How common are cosmetic product recalls?
While food and drug recalls often receive the most attention, personal care products are also occasionally recalled when testing finds bacterial contamination, undeclared ingredients or manufacturing issues.
Federal regulators say bacteria-contaminated cosmetic products can be especially concerning because they may come into direct contact with the scalp, skin or eyes. For healthy consumers, the risk is generally low, but contaminated products can pose more serious concerns for older adults, young children and people with compromised immune systems.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Contaminated Oribe shampoo sold in California. Here’s what to know
Reporting by Sarah Moore and James Ward, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sarah Moore and James Ward, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
