Clorox Recalling Millions Of Pine-Sol Bottles Due To Serious Health Risk
Clorox is recalling a wide range of Pine-sol products manufactured between January 2021 and September 2022 at a factory in Georgia that were sold at a slew of national retailers including Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, Kroger, and Dollar Tree.
Approximately 37 million units of Pine Sol multi-surface cleaner have been recalled by Clorox. The company said the affected products may contain traces of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. The bacteria could potentially harm people with compromised immune systems or those with external medical devices. They would also be at serious risk of infection that may require medical treatment.
“With the health and safety of our products being a top priority, out of an abundance of caution, Pine-Sol issued a voluntary recall of select scented Pine-Sol products since these items may contain the bacteria,” the company said in a statement to USA Today. The manufacturer also noted that the original Pine-Sol (in the classic pine scent) is not in the scope of this recall and is safe to use.
The germ in Pine-Sol’s recalled products can also cause blood and lung infections, particularly after surgery, when it can spread from surfaces and hands to medical equipment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moreover, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa is constantly finding new ways to avoid the effects of antibiotics used to treat the dangerous infections they cause.
According to CNN Business, eight different versions of Pine-Sol have been recalled. This includes Pine-Sol scented multi-surface cleaners like Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, and Lemon Fresh. Clorox Pine-Sol all-purpose cleaners in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, Lemon Fresh, and Orange Energy have also been pulled, along with Clorox Professional Pine-Sol Lemon Fresh Cleaner.
The Pine-Sol products affected by the recall were manufactured between January 2021 and September 2022 at Clorox’s Forest Park, Georgia, factory. They were sold on Amazon and at several national retailers like Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, Kroger, and Dollar Tree. The problematic bottles have date codes beginning with the prefix A4, followed by a five-digit number less than 22249.
All of Pine-Sol’s recalled products are sold in bottles of varying sizes, ranging from 28 to 175 fluid ounces. The Consumer Product Safety Commission added that while the harmful bacterium is unlikely to affect people with healthy immune systems, those with compromised systems should be extra cautious. The germ can enter the body by inhalation, through the eyes, or by a break in the skin.
No injuries or incidents have been reported by consumers to date. But anyone who purchased one of the Pine-Sol recalled products are advised to throw it away and contact the manufacturer for a refund. “Even though your product appears to be safe, we are asking you to stop using the products included in this voluntary recall immediately and complete this form,” the company said.
A special website has also been created with all the relevant information for anyone affected by the Pine-Sol recall. The demand for disinfectant cleaners increased at the beginning of the pandemic when scientists feared Covid-19 could be transmitted by surviving on surfaces. Similarly, Pseudomonas aeruginosa lives in the environment and can be spread to people when they are exposed to items contaminated with these germs. Resistant strains can also spread through contaminated hands, equipment, or surfaces.
