4.9 million bottles of Fabuloso recalled for a potential bacterial contamination
Check your Fabuloso bottles and tell your mami, papi, tía, tío, abuela and abuelo to check theirs, too. Colgate-Palmolive just recalled 4.9 million of them in the United States and another 56,000 in Canada. There might be a bacterial contamination problem.
Here’s what you need to know.
What’s the problem with the recalled Fabuloso?
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall alert, the bottles “can contain Pseudomonas species bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens, which are environmental organisms found widely in soil and water. People with weakened immune systems, external medical devices or underlying lung conditions who are exposed to the bacteria face a risk of serious infection that may require medical treatment.
“The bacteria can enter the body if inhaled, through the eyes, or through a break in the skin.”
The upside is that “people with healthy immune systems are usually not affected by the bacteria,” and no injuries have been reported yet.
If this sounds familiar, Pine-Sol got recalled last year for the same reason.
READ MORE: Check the Pine-Sol bottles — about that 37 million bottles have been recalled
Exactly what Fabuloso scents and sizes are recalled?
If you want to check Fabuloso lot numbers and UPC codes online, there’s a recall website set up by Colgate-Palmolive. That’s also where you would register for a refund or replacement (see below).
Not all Fabuloso products have been yanked. The recalled ones have lot numbers that start with 2348US78 through 2365US78 and 30001US78 through 3023US78 in the following scents and sizes.
▪ Lavender: Original Multi-Purpose Cleaner, 22 ounces; Multi-Purpose Cleaner 2X Concentrated Formula, 56, 128 and 169 ounces; Multi-Purpose Cleaner, 210 ounces; and Professional All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser, 1 gallon.
▪ Refreshing Lemon: Original Multi-Purpose Cleaner, 22 ounces; and Multi-Purpose Cleaner 2X Concentrated Formula, 33, 56, 128 and 169 ounces.
▪ Passion of Fruits: Multi-Purpose Cleaner 2X Concentrated Formula, 33, 56, 128 and 169 ounces.
▪ Spring Fresh: Multi-Purpose Cleaner Bleach Alternative 2X Concentrated Formula, 56 ounces.
▪ Ocean: Professional All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser, 1 gallon.
READ MORE: What does your favorite Fabuloso scent say about you?
What should you do now?
Stop using the Fabuloso you have. Take a picture of the UPC code and lot code. Throw the bottle in the trash (don’t empty it and put the bottle with the recyclables).
Then, for a replacement or a refund, go to the recall form at the aforementioned recall site linked above or call Colgate-Palmolive at 855-703-0166, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern time.
READ MORE: Cleaning products, some costing $100 per bottle, recalled after bacterial infections
