German company Henkel recalled over 1,000 bottles of their shampoo brand Tec Italy Totale Shampoo due to fears of possible contamination with Klebsiella oxytoca, a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause infection of the eyes, skin, and nose.
Henkel warned that it had distributed the shampoo in New York and California but it may have reached additional states.
Tec Italy is available for online purchase to consumers from Europe.
According to a release by the manufacturer, the recalled shampoo “is packaged in a green plastic 33.81 fluid ounce/1 liter bottle, marked with the lot number 1G27542266 on the side and the UPC code 7501438375850.”
Henkel further explained that exposure to Klebsiella oxytoca can cause health effects in humans, including eye, nose and skin infections, with “additional reactions for consumers with immune-compromised conditions,” as reported by Fox News.
“To date, there have been no reports of user harm or injury related to these products,” Henkel said in the release.
“Consumers who experience symptoms, or have any medical questions associated with this recall, should consult a physician immediately.”
The bacteria is not harmful within the intestinal system. However, if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the bloodstream, it can kill 10–20% of patients.
It can cause pneumonia-like symptoms including fever, chills, shortness of breath, and cough if it enters the body through other channels, such as the bloodstream.
The recall was classified as Class II, which denotes “a situation where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote or where use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.”
Those who have already purchased the shampoo contaminated with the bacteria should stop using it and return it where they bought it for a full refund, the company said.
