Recalled Hand Soap Alert: Health Risks, Affected Products, and What to Do Next

Why This Recall Matters For Families And Care Facilities

A nationwide recall is underway for multiple hand hygiene products after testing found contamination with a waterborne bacteria that can cause serious illness. The recall involves items used in homes, schools, hospitals, and long-term care settings. While many people may only face minor risk, vulnerable users can develop dangerous infections that demand urgent care. The stakes are high because the organism can resist several common antibiotics and can spread where hygiene products are shared. These facts make quick action essential to protect your health and your legal rights.

Which Products Were Recalled

DermaRite Industries announced a voluntary recall of select lots of several products, including DermaKleen lotion soaps, KleenFoam antimicrobial foam soap, PeriGiene antiseptic cleanser, and DermaSarra external analgesic. The products were distributed across the United States and Puerto Rico in various sizes and packaging formats. You can confirm whether your item is included by comparing your brand name, reorder number, lot number, and expiration date to the official recall table published by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA notice lists the affected lots and provides company contact details for questions. If your product matches, stop using it immediately. 

Do not assume your bottle is safe because you bought it from a major retailer or a trusted supplier. Recalls often affect goods from multiple sales channels, including institutional distributors and online marketplaces. The FDA post is the primary source of truth for the whole product and lot list. Save a copy of that page for your records and consider printing the table if you are managing inventory for a facility or a household with multiple dispensers. 

The contamination involves a group of bacteria known as Burkholderia cepacia complex. These organisms live in soil and water and can cause a wide range of illnesses. Healthy people may have no symptoms or only mild issues. People with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems face a much higher risk of severe infection, including bloodstream infection and sepsis. That is why the recall instructs users to stop using affected products and to seek medical advice if symptoms develop after exposure.

Protect Your Health And Preserve A Potential Claim

• Stop using it right away
  Remove the product from bathrooms, kitchens, carts, and patient rooms. Seal it in a bag or clean container and label it do not use.
• Verify your lot information
  Record the brand, reorder number, lot number, and expiration date. Compare those details to the FDA recall table and photograph the bottle and codes.
• Clean or replace refillable dispensers
  Empty and wash any refillable pumps or wall units. Let them air dry thoroughly before reuse, especially in shared care settings.
• Watch for symptoms and contact a medical professional
  
  Monitor for fever, chills, fatigue, worsening skin redness, drainage, or changes in the wound. Tell your doctor about possible exposure to a recalled hand soap.
• Report problems to regulators
  Submit a report through the FDA MedWatch program if you notice a reaction or quality issue. Save the confirmation for your records.
• Ask about refunds, returns, or replacements
  Follow the instructions in the FDA notice or from your retailer or distributor. Keep notes of every call or email and store receipts and order confirmations.

Legal Considerations If You Were Harmed

A contaminated personal care product, like hand soap, can support several theories of recovery under California product liability law. A manufacturing defect exists when a product departs from its intended design during production. Contamination with Burkholderia cepacia complex is a classic example. Plaintiffs may also allege negligence and failure to warn, depending on the facts of distribution and notice. Damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering.

If you believe the recalled hand soap contributed to an infection or worsened an existing condition, take these steps to safeguard your claim. First, preserve the bottle and any refills in a sealed container with labels intact. Second, keep photos, purchase records, delivery confirmations, and any facility inventory logs. Third, maintain a health journal that lists symptoms, clinic visits, prescriptions, and out-of-pocket costs. Fourth, request complete medical records, including culture results and antibiotic sensitivity reports. Finally, avoid public statements about the event until you receive legal advice.

How KAASS LAW Can Help

If you or a loved one became ill after using a recalled hand soap, KAASS LAW is ready to act. We move quickly to preserve evidence, verify lot numbers, and secure medical records. We collaborate with infectious disease and pharmacy experts who understand resistant organisms and the current standards of care. Our team manages communications with insurers and distributors, allowing you to focus on treatment and recovery.

We pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. For facilities, we assess recall procedures, documentation, and risk. We also coordinate with clinicians and public health reporting when needed. Every case receives a customized strategy tailored to your specific facts and goals.

Time limits apply to product cases, so do not wait. Contact KAASS LAW for a free case evaluation. We will review your documentation, outline next steps, and begin protecting your rights today. Call KAASS, leave it to us!