Cosmetics & Microbiological Contamination: Products Recalled from the Market!

In the past few years, several cosmetic products have been recalled from the US market due to microbiological contaminations. Recently, L’Oréal USA voluntarily recalled 487 units of its no-rinse conditioner Mizani 25 Miracle Cream for potential contamination by Burkholderia cepacia complex. This bacterium poses minimal risk to healthy people. However, it may cause respiratory infections in individuals with specific health problems, such as weakened immune systems or chronic lung disease. Additionally, it is often resistant to common antibiotics.

Mizani product recall for Burkholderia cepacia complex contamination follows similar incidents in the cosmetics industry:

• Kao USA has recalled several packs of Jergens Ultra Healing Moisturizer.
• Henkel has recalled 180 packs of Alterna Bond Repair Leave-in Heat Protection Spray.
• Johnson & Johnson has recalled 7,800 packs of Clean & Clear’s Morning Burst Facial Cleanser. The recall is due to bacterial contamination risks, including Burkholderia cepacia complex.

In Europe, 33 different recalls of cosmetic products due to microbiological contamination have taken place in the last three years.

These episodes highlight the importance of microbiological testing for cosmetic products. They underline the need for timely and thorough monitoring to ensure safety and quality, thus protecting consumers from possible health risks.

What Microbiological Method did the Mérieux NutriSciences CosmeticLAB Develop to Ensure the Safety of Cosmetics?

Our cosmetics laboratories have developed and validated the test according to ‘USP <60> Microbiological examination of non-sterile products – Test for Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc)’, which provides the methodology and analysis parameters for Bcc detection. Non-sterile aqueous products present a potential risk of contamination by Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). Bcc strains are opportunistic pathogens that spread in water. They are often resistant to selective preservatives and antimicrobial agents.