Urgent Consumer Alert: Dermarite Industries Recalls Popular Hand Soap Nationwide for Bacterial Contamination Risk

Lead Hundreds of thousands of bottles of DermaKleen, Dermasarra, KleenFoam and PeriGiene products made by DermaRite Industries are being pulled from shelves nationwide after dangerous bacteria were detected in certain lots, prompting an urgent FDA-monitored recall. Why the recall matters • Burkholderia cepacia complex, the microorganism found in the affected hand soaps and cleansers, can trigger life-threatening bloodstream infections and sepsis, especially in hospital patients, nursing-home residents and anyone with weakened immune systems. • At least 32 over-the-counter personal-care items—including hand soaps, antimicrobial foam soaps, perineal cleansers, lotions and shampoos—are now included after DermaRite broadened the original July action in early September. Products to check immediately 1. DermaKleen Health Care Antiseptic Lotion Soap with Vitamin E (800 mL and 1,000 mL cartridges) 2. KleenFoam Antimicrobial Foam Soap with Aloe Vera 3. PeriGiene Antiseptic Cleanser (perineal) 4. Dermasarra External Analgesic Anti-Itch Lotion Lot numbers and expiration dates vary; consumers are urged to compare the codes on each package with the FDA’s full recall table. What to do if you have the soap • Stop using the product right away. • Seal it in a plastic bag and discard per local hazardous-waste guidelines, or follow your facility’s destruction protocol if you are a healthcare provider. • For refunds or replacement, contact DermaRite’s recall hotline at 973-569-9000 x104 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST) or email voluntary.action@dermarite.com. • Report any infection symptoms—skin redness, swelling, fever, or signs of sepsis—to a medical professional and to FDA MedWatch. Has anyone been hurt? As of the latest FDA posting, no adverse-event reports have been confirmed, but experts warn that Burkholderia cepacia infections are notoriously hard to treat because the bacteria are naturally resistant to many common antibiotics. Impact on hospitals and long-term-care facilities DermaRite supplies soaps and cleansers to nursing homes, rehab centers and acute-care hospitals nationwide, making rapid product isolation critical to protect high-risk populations. Infection-control leaders should audit inventories, quarantine affected lots and substitute alternative formulations until the company issues clearance. How this recall unfolded • July 2025 – Routine quality testing detects microbial contamination in select DermaKleen lots; voluntary recall issued. • August 9 – FDA publishes the company announcement, expanding the recall list. • September 10 – Further testing prompts a second expansion, bringing the total to 32 products ranging from hand sanitizers to deodorants. Consumer safety checklist ✓ Verify your bathroom, gym bag and workplace dispensers for any DermaRite-branded soaps. ✓ Wash hands with an unaffected brand until the recall is resolved. ✓ Monitor recall updates on FDA.gov and DermaRite.com. ✓ Share this alert with caregivers and facility managers who may not follow industry recall wires. Bottom line The DermaRite Industries hand soap recall underscores the importance of vigilant product testing and swift consumer action. Checking your cabinets today can help prevent a dangerous infection tomorrow.