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Contaminated soap recall expanded, now includes hand sanitizer

Written by: QMI Agency
Oct. 18, 2012

Avmor Ltd.'s Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap.

Health Canada's recall of an antimicrobial soap that is contaminated with a dangerous bacteria has been expanded and now includes a hand sanitizer made by the same company.

Avmor Ltd.'s Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap (Triclosan 0.3%) is used privately as well as in offices, schools and hospitals. Tests conducted by the health agency detected pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can pose serious health risks.

For people with weakened immune systems -- such as those who suffer from cystic fibrosis, HIV/AIDS, severe lung disease, burns, cancer or diabetes -- the bacteria can cause pneumonia, bone infections, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, meningitis and blood infections.

In healthy people, pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause local infections, abscesses and blood infection, Health Canada says,

Avmor has voluntarily recalled the product, and on Thursday added 19 more lots to the one lot announced earlier in the week. It also recalled 21 lots of X3 Clean Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer (Benzalkonium chloride 0.13%), as a precaution.

Health Canada warns Canadians not to use the products, and not to use any unidentified antimicrobial foaming hand soap in a dispenser.

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