Neutrogena Recalls Makeup Wipes Over Bacterial Contamination Concerns

Business|Neutrogena Recalls Makeup Wipes Over Bacterial Contamination Concerns

More than 15,000 packages of Neutrogena makeup wipes were recalled last month over concerns of potential bacterial contamination, federal safety regulators said.

Kenvue, Neutrogena’s parent company, issued the voluntary recall after finding that some cases of its makeup towelettes tested positive for Pluralibacter gergoviae, a bacterium that can cause infections, according to a report from the Food and Drug Administration.

The source of the contamination was not identified. It was not clear if any illnesses had been reported.

The recall affects 1,312 cases of Neutrogena’s 50-count 25-pack makeup remover ultrasoft cleansing towelettes. There are 12 packages per case, according to the recall notice.

The recalled wipes were distributed in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas, according to the F.D.A.

In an email, Kenvue said that it issued the recall “out of an abundance of caution” and that no other Neutrogena products were exposed to the bacteria.

The recall, which went into effect on Sept. 19, was upgraded on Oct. 3 to a Class II, which the F.D.A. defines as a situation where use or exposure to a product could cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Pluralibacter gergoviae, or P. gergoviae, is a bacterium that typically poses little medical risk to healthy people but can cause serious infections in those with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses, according to the F.D.A.

For immunocompromised people, the bacteria can cause eye infections, urinary tract infections, sepsis and respiratory diseases.

Preservatives that are commonly found in cosmetic and personal health products don’t kill the bacteria, according to Melbec Microbiology, an accredited cosmetic testing laboratory.

Other personal care companies have had to issue recalls for possible P. gergoviae contamination.

The hair care brand Amika this year recalled all bottles of its mirrorball high shine and protect antioxidant shampoo sold in 2023 and 2024 because some were contaminated with the bacterium.

In 2022, Kao USA, the parent company of Jergens, also recalled some units of its ultrahealing moisturizer because of Pluralibacter gergoviae contamination.