A report from last Thursday(12/1/22) by the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission stated that Laundress recalled about eight million cleaning and laundry products from the shelves for fear that they might have bacteria capable of causing infections, especially in individuals with weak immune systems. Any products produced between January 2021 and September 2022, be they fabric softeners, laundry detergents, conditioners, fabric shampoos, and any other cleaning products, will be removed from the shelves.
According to the commission, the products might have bacteria mostly found in water and soil. However, clarity on how they were contaminated is yet to be achieved. According to the report, the bacteria pose a risk to individuals with “weakened immune systems, external medical devices, and underlying lung conditions,” which might require them to look for medical attention. It enters the body via inhalation, eyes, or when one has a break on their skin.
Eleven consumers have reported having bacterial infections, according to the commission. This has caused the company to launch an investigation aimed at determining whether those infections are related to the products that have been recalled. The company has said that the symptoms vary from “mild skin symptoms to more serious signs of infection.” The company went on and encouraged its customers not to fear using the products that the recall has not affected.
Laundress has assured its customers that it is “undertaking decisive steps” with its suppliers to ensure that production processes meet “safety and quality standards.”
Laundress sold most of the products directly, while others were sold via Bloomingdale’s Kith, Brooklinen, Jenni Kayne, Nordstrom, N.Peal, Saks Fifth Avenue, Peruvian Connections, Target, and other retailers in the U.S. and Canada. Consumers are free to ask for refunds, after which they must “dispose of the product by closing the bottle tightly and placing it in household trash.” The commission has warned people against emptying the recalled products before discarding them.
