Fabuloso Cleaner Recalled Over Exposure To Dangerous Bacteria

A Fabuloso recall was issued due to the cleaner potentially containing Pseudomonas-species bacteria.

By Jennifer Hollohan | Published

fabuloso recall

Time to check your cabinets and your cupboards. Consumers should know about the news of a massive new Fabuloso recall. A whopping 4.9 million units fall under this recall.

Colgate-Palmolive owns Fabuloso, a multipurpose cleaner. The Fabuloso recall affects five different scented lines of the cleaner. “A notice on Fabuloso’s website says the cause is related to a manufacturing issue in which a preservative was not added at intended levels.” per NBC News

Inadequate preservative levels invite unhealthy bacteria to grow. And that is exactly what prompted the Fabuloso recall. “According to a Wednesday notice on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website, the recalled products can contain Pseudomonas-species bacteria, which are environmental organisms widely found in soil and water.”

This bacteria can enter the system in many ways. One can breath it in, or it may enter through a break in the skin or mucous membranes, which is bad news. That puts those with compromised immune systems, lung problems, or external medical devices at heightened risk. 

Anyone with these conditions risks a serious infection requiring medical intervention if the bacteria gets into their system. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says that the bacteria usually won’t affect people with healthy immune systems. Even so, everyone should follow the Fabuloso recall instructions out of an abundance of caution.

The good news is that the parent company says only about 1 million units sold. The remaining 3.9 million never made it to customers. All affected units were manufactured between December 14, 2022, and January 23, 2023. 

If you have a bottle of Fabuloso at home, here are the things to look for. Find the lot code on the back of the bottle. It is either directly above the label or closer to the top.

The Fabuloso recall includes units with lot codes that start with 2348US78 through 2365US78 and 3001US78 through 3023US78. Or you can reference the dedicated website. It has a complete list of recalled lot codes. 

Many individual products fall under the Fabuloso recall. Among the lavender scented items, Fabuloso Original Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Lavender Scent, 22oz; Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner 2X Concentrated Formula, Lavender Scent, 56 fl oz, 128 fl oz, 169 fl oz; Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Lavender Scent, 210 fl oz; and Fabuloso Professional All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser, Lavender Scent, 1 Gallon. And the Fabuloso Professional All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser, Ocean Scent, 1-gallon jug.

Additionally, Fabuloso Original Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Refreshing Lemon Scent, 22 fl oz; Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner 2X Concentrated Formula, Refreshing Lemon Scent, 33.8 fl oz, 56 fl oz, 128 FL oz, and 169 FL oz; Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner 2X Concentrated Formula, Passion of Fruits Scent, 33.8 fl oz, 56 fl oz, 128 fl oz and 169 fl oz; and Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner Bleach Alternative 2X Concentrated Formula, Spring Fresh Scent, 56 fl oz are all recalled. If you have any impacted cleaners, take a photo of the UPC and lot code. Then submit your documentation on the recall website.

Colgate-Palmolive Company will give customers a free replacement or a full refund. The company asks that consumers dispose of the affected cleaner in the trash. Please do not empty it first.