Over 1,000 bottles of Tec Italy shampoo have been recalled in the US because they contain life-threatening bacteria. Tec Italy products can be obtained through online retailers in the UK.
German company Henkel voluntarily recalled 1,068 units of shampoo after the Tel Italy shampoo tested positive for the Klebsiella oxytoca (KO), a type of bacteria that can cause infections if found outside the intestines.
Exposure to KO bacteria can cause infections in the eyes, nose and skin, and is particularly dangerous for people who are immunocompromised.
A KO infection can kill anywhere between 10 and 20 per cent of patients if it migrates to other parts of the body, according to the Daily Mail.
The recall comes just months after Tec Italy's Tonico Shampoo January recall due to potential contamination with E coli bacteria.
How serious is the recall?
The 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”.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US said the recalled products had been shipped from a facility in Mexico to the distributors C&R Beauty, Caesar’s Professional Products and Vero Beauty Distributors.
It is not yet known how many people purchased the products.
Henkel said there have been no reports of user illness or injury related to the affected products. 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.
What is Klebsiella oxytoca?
Klebsiella oxytoca (KO) is a type of bacteria. It is naturally found in the intestinal tract, mouth and nose. However, KO can cause serious infections when it leaves the intestinal tract.
KO is usually picked up in healthcare environments. It’s spread through direct contact with germs (via a person who has it or a surface) and is not spread through the air.
The symptoms of KO vary from person to person, depending on where the infection is located. Common symptoms include:
- A fever
- Chills
- Flu-like symptoms including shivers and body aches
- Difficulty catching a breath
- A mucus-filled cough
Patients may also experience pain during urination, vomiting and lower abdominal pain.
While most patients recover quickly, people with a weakened immune system or serious medical conditions may require antibiotics. Patients can develop lung damage if the infection is not treated, however, this is uncommon.
