Residents in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) and [British] Virgin Islands (VI) should be on the lookout for Pine-Sol disinfecting products that contain bacteria that could potentially weaken their immune systems. Photo: VIC

On Tuesday, October, 25, 2022, Clorox – the company that produces the disinfectant — voluntarily recalled 37 million scented Pine-Sol products which the firm said may contain bacteria including pseudomonas aeruginosa that is commonly found in soil and water. 

“We are conducting this recall to safeguard your health and wellbeing,” a statement from the company read.

To date, testing has identified bacteria in certain recalled products (recall # 23-022), including those produced between January 2021 and September 2022. Clorox produced approximately 37 million recalled products in that period.

Products affected

Pine-Sol Scented Multi-Surface Cleaners in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, and Lemon Fresh scents, CloroxPro, Pine-Sol, All Purpose Cleaners in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, Lemon Fresh, and Orange Energy scents, and Clorox are all included in the list of products that may host the bacteria. The recall however does not include the original Pine-Sol (Pine scent).

According to the Clorox company, “This recall involves Pine-Sol Scented Multi-Surface Cleaners in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, and Lemon Fresh scents, CloroxPro Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaners, in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, Lemon Fresh, and Orange Energy scents, and Clorox Professional Pine-Sol Lemon Fresh Cleaners, with date codes beginning with the prefix “A4” and followed by a five-digit number less than 22249. The products are sold in bottles of 28, 48, 60, 100, 144, and 175 fluid ounces. In an abundance of caution, Clorox is recalling all of the above-described products manufactured at its Forest Park, Georgia facility through September 2022.”

Bacteria can weaken immune system

Consumers who have these products in their possession have been advised to stop using them immediately as the bacteria can enter the body if inhaled, through the eyes, or through a break in the skin. 

“People with weakened immune systems or external medical devices who are exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa face a risk of serious infection that may require medical treatment … People with healthy immune systems are usually not affected by the bacteria,” Clorox said in a statement.

The company has also advised consumers to request a refund if the Universal Product Code (UPC) and date codes of their products match any of those recalled. 

Consumers are specifically advised to take pictures of the 12-digit UPC code and the date code, dispose of the product in its container with household trash, and contact Pine-Sol for a full refund of the purchase price, with receipt, or of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, without receipt.  

The affected products are sold at several outlets to include: online at Amazon.com and additional retailer websites and at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Dollar General, Target, Home Depot, BJ’s, Kroger, Dollar Tree, Lowe’s, Publix, and other major retailers nationwide, for between $2.50 and $12.50.

According to the Clorox Company, it has received no reports of incidents or injuries to date regarding the bacteria contaminant.