The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raised the voluntary recall of six hand soap products to Class II on the grounds that there is a possibility of bacterial contamination which could present a health risk. This recall, which was started by Intercon Chemical Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, involves more than 2,600 units distributed to wholesalers and one retailer in 15 states.
What “Class II” Means for Consumers
According to the FDA, a Class II recall refers to a situation in which the use of or exposure to a product might result in temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects, or in which the chance of serious harm is remote. This level of urgency is greater than that of the less serious classification but does not reach Class I, which involves a reasonable probability of serious injury or death.
In this instance, the agency identified the possibility of contamination with bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Serratia species in two of the products, while for the other four the contamination is listed as unspecified.
Affected Products and Where They Were Sold
The recall includes six foaming and liquid hand soaps available under various brand names. These products were delivered to 20 consignees (19 wholesalers and one retailer) in the following states: California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Products included in the recall:
Intercon Pear Hand Soap with Aloe, 28.7 fluid ounces – 693 cases – UPC 789745002981
Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, 1,000 mL – 143 cases – UPC 789745002615
Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap, 28.7 fluid ounces – 1,040 cases – UPC 810080570030
Fresh Pear-scented Vestis Hand Soap, 33.8 fl oz – 225 cases – UPC 810080570405
Laura Lynn Honey Apple Crisp Liquid Hand Soap, 8 fl oz – 301 cases – UPC 086854074305
Hand soap with moisturizers, Laura Lynn Foaming Pear Scent, 7.5 fl oz – 294 cases – UPC 08685407408
With regard to the two products that are branded jointly by Intercon, the FDA listed the following as possible contaminants: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas monteilii, Serratia marcescens, and Serratia nematodiphila. The other four products are stated as being subject to ‘potential bacterial contamination’ without the particular organisms being identified in the enforcement report.
Why This Matters: Health Risks of Contaminated Soap
Hand soap is not intended to introduce germs but to reduce them. There is a particular concern regarding contamination with Pseudomonas and Serratia for individuals who have weak immune systems, open wounds, or chronic illnesses. These bacteria have been associated with skin, eye, ear and respiratory infections in susceptible groups, and in rare instances can lead to more severe illness if they get into the bloodstream.
For the majority of healthy people the exposure may cause only mild irritation or no symptoms whatsoever, something that is in keeping with the FDA’s Class II assessment. The agency and the manufacturer are nevertheless taking the matter seriously and have therefore removed the products from the supply chain.
Timeline: Recall Started in June, FDA Classification in September
Intercon Chemical launched the voluntary recall on June 29, 2026; the FDA then designated it as Class II on September 11, 2026, pursuant to enforcement report number 99466, and currently has the recall listed as ongoing with no termination date having been given.
Since the soap was mainly given to wholesalers, some of it could have gotten to smaller retailers, schools, workplaces, or other facilities related to healthcare. People who bought hand soap in the states concerned over the last few months should compare the labels with the UPC codes listed above.
What Consumers and Businesses Should Do Now
Make sure that you have your hand soap on hand:
if you are in charge of a store, office, school, or facility located in the 15 states, check your stock to see that it includes the named brands, sizes and UPCs.
Stop using and isolate:
You should not use or sell the affected products and should place them in a secure location until you receive further instructions regarding their return or disposal.
Get in touch with the supplier:
by contacting your wholesaler or Intercon Chemical regarding return, credit or replacement arrangements.
Keep an eye on any symptoms:
if a person has used the soap and experiences unusual skin irritation, rashes, or signs of infection—particularly if they are immunocompromised they should get medical advice and refer to the possibility of exposure.
Broader Context: Recalls in the Hygiene Category
Hygiene products have not been recalled for microbial problems for the first time. In recent years, both the FDA and the CDC have identified contamination in hand sanitizers, skin antiseptics and some personal care products as well, the causes usually being faults in manufacturing or in the packaging. The fact that this has now been upgraded to Class II shows that the regulators consider there to be a real but not serious risk which justifies rapid action.
At this stage, the message is clear check the areas under your sink, in your break room, or on your store shelf and get rid of any items that match until the recall is over.
