Karmactive Staff
DermaRite Industries has significantly expanded a nationwide recall of dozens of personal care products that could contain harmful bacteria. The company’s soaps, sanitizers, lotions, and wound care items might be contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), bacteria that can cause serious infections and potentially deadly sepsis in people with weakened immune systems.
The recall began on July 16, 2025, and was expanded on August 27-28 to include more products. These items were distributed across the United States and Puerto Rico.
On September 9, Walmart confirmed that some recalled products had been sold at select Sam’s Club stores in 14 states: California, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The bacteria poses the greatest danger to people with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions like cystic fibrosis. For healthy people, the risk is typically limited to local skin infections if the bacteria enters through cuts or wounds.
Sepsis, which can result from these infections, is the body’s extreme response to infection. It affects at least 1.7 million Americans annually and can be life-threatening. Key symptoms include fever, shivering, extreme pain, confusion, shortness of breath, and a high heart rate.
The expanded recall now includes 16 product lines used in both homes and healthcare settings:
- Hand soaps and sanitizers (DermaKleen, KleenFoam, Gel Rite)
- Skin protectants and moisturizers (DermaCerin, PeriGuard)
- Wound care items (DermaSyn)
- Body washes and shampoos (DermaRain, TotalBath)
- Even antiperspirant/deodorant (UltraSure)
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Walmart stated: “Walmart and Sam’s Club are committed to the health and safety of our customers and members and to providing products that are safe and compliant. In the event of a product recall, we work swiftly to block the item from being sold and remove it from our stores and clubs.”
Customers who bought these products at Sam’s Club should check the complete store list on Walmart’s recall webpage to see if their location is affected. So far, no illnesses or infections have been reported in connection with these products. However, health officials urge immediate action.
What should you do if you have these products?
- Examine your bathroom and medicine cabinet for the recalled items
- Throw away any affected products immediately
- Contact your doctor if you experience any health problems after using these products
- If you recently received medical care, check if your healthcare facility used these products Consumers with questions can contact DermaRite through Sedgwick at 888-943-5190 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. EST) or by email at dermarite5186@sedgwick.com.
Health issues related to these products can also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by mail, or by fax.
The recall affects all lots of the listed recalled products with expiration dates on or before August 2027. Healthcare facilities are instructed to examine their inventory and destroy affected products according to their facility’s procedures.
