Certain lots of six hand soaps distributed across 15 states may contain Pseudomonas, Serratia or other bacterial contamination.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified a recall involving six hand soap products distributed across 15 states as Class II after the products were linked to possible bacterial contamination, including several species of Pseudomonas and Serratia.
St. Louis-based Intercon Chemical Co. initiated the voluntary recall June 29. The FDA classified the action as Class II on Sept. 11, a designation used when exposure to a recalled product may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems but the likelihood of serious consequences is considered remote. The soaps reached 20 companies, including 19 wholesalers and one retailer.
The recall covers Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap, Vestis Foaming Hand Soap in Fresh Pear Scent, Laura Lynn Honey Apple Crisp Liquid Hand Soap and Laura Lynn Foaming Pear Scent Hand Soap with Moisturizers. Only certain lot codes and best-by dates are included in the recall.
The FDA enforcement report says the Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe and Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe may be contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas monteilii, Serratia marcescens and Serratia nematodiphila. The four other products are listed as recalled because of potential bacterial contamination without specific organisms named for those products.
The affected Intercon Foaming Pear product includes 28.7-ounce containers with UPC 789745002981 and lot codes AF97312, 26-01001 and 26-01803. The Clearly Better product includes 34-ounce containers with UPC 789745002615 and lot codes 26-01001 and 26-01803. Together, the FDA report lists hundreds of cases of those two products in the recall.
Other affected products include 28.7-ounce Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap with UPC 810080570030 and lot codes BF97303, BF97304 and BF97305, along with 33.8-ounce Vestis Foaming Hand Soap, Fresh Pear Scent, with UPC 810080570405 and lot code 26-03091. More than 1,000 cases of the Summit product and more than 200 cases of the Vestis product were listed in the enforcement information.
The two Laura Lynn products were distributed through the retail channel. The recalled Honey Apple Crisp Liquid Hand Soap comes in 8-ounce containers with UPC 086854074305 and lot codes C3576 and 26-01804. The affected Laura Lynn Foaming Pear Scent Hand Soap with Moisturizers comes in 7.5-ounce containers with UPC 08685407408 and lot code 26-01001.
The recalled soaps were distributed in California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Some products may be used in businesses or public facilities because most of the distribution went through wholesalers. The Laura Lynn brand products were distributed through Ingles Markets.
Pseudomonas bacteria are commonly found in the environment, including soil and water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause infections of the blood, lungs, urinary tract and other parts of the body. Some strains are resistant to antibiotics, which can make infections more difficult to treat. People receiving medical care and those with weakened immune systems can face greater risks from the organism.
The recall remains listed in the FDA’s enforcement system as authorities track the affected lots and distribution. The FDA report provides the individual product codes, lot numbers and best-by dates associated with the recall, while the Class II classification indicates that serious adverse health consequences are considered unlikely.
Author note: Last updated September 17, 2026.