The shampoo brand Tec Italy has had to recall over 1,000 bottles of its hair wash after they tested positive for Klebsiella oxytoca (KO), a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause infection of the eyes, skin, and nose. German company Henkel, which makes the shampoo, voluntarily recalled 1,068 bottles in the United States after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered the dangerous bacteria. Tec Italy also sells the product in the UK via online retailers.
The recall comes after Tec Italy’s Tonico Shampoo was recalled in January over fears about E-Coli contamination. The most recent recall was classified as Class II, meaning “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote”.
It is not yet known how many shoppers bought the product before it was recalled. KO can kill anywhere between ten and 20% of patients if it migrates around the body, according to the Daily Mail.
Henkel said no reports of consumer illness or injury related to the affected products has been recorded. Meanwhile, the FDA has not offered specific guidance on how to dispose of affected products.
“Consumers who experience symptoms, or have any medical questions associated with this recall, should consult a physician immediately,” Henkel said.
KO is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in the intestinal tract, mouth and nose. But, KO can cause serious infections when it leaves the intestinal tract.
It is most commonly picked up in healthcare settings where germ exposure is high.
The symptoms of KO vary but can include:
- A fever
- Chills
- Flu-like symptoms including shivers and body aches
- Difficulty catching a breath
- A mucus-filled cough
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