Walmart is recalling a small number of bottles of aromatherapy room spray. The retail giant explained the products may contain “a rare and deadly pathogen that poses a major harm and death risk.”
Consumer Product Safety Commission said the recall is for 3,900 bottles of “Better Homes and Gardens-branded- Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones.” This brand comes in six various variants.
MOUNT PROSPECT, IL – SEPTEMBER 21: Aromatherapy spray from Walmart has been recalled due to the presence of germs that might cause illness. In this photo, a woman shops in the pharmacy area of a Wal-Mart store on September 21, 2006 in Mount Prospect, Illinois. Wal-Mart announced today they plan on reducing prices for nearly 300 generic prescription drugs, starting the program in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
From February to October 2021, the aromatherapy room spray was offered in 5-ounce glass bottles at roughly 55 Walmart locations nationwide and the retail giant’s online store for about $4.
Lavender & Chamomile, Lemon and Mandarin, Lavender, Peppermint, Lime & Eucalyptus, Sandalwood and Vanilla are among the recalled sprays. The front of the 5-ounce glass bottle has “Better Homes and Gardens Aromatherapy” written on the label.
Walmart Recalls Aromatherapy After 2 Reported Deaths, 4 Injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded two fatalities. According to CDC, they have examined the product variant. According to the recall notice, the aromatherapy spray included the harmful bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei. The said which causes Melioidosis.
According to the CPSC (per CNN), Melioidosis is difficult to diagnose and may be lethal. According to the Centers for Illness Control and Prevention, Melioidosis is an uncommon but deadly disease in the United States, with just around 12 cases documented each year.
The CDC tested the product and examined four confirmed instances of Melioidosis in the United States, two of which were deadly. The CDC has not verified the cause of these four illnesses. Still, the CPSC stated a vial with the same kind of bacteria was discovered in the house of one of the people who died. Officials from the Department of Health and Human Services are now examining goods discovered in the homes of the other three patients.
The aromatherapy was offered with a pump spray nozzle and a label on the front of the glass container that said “Better Homes and Gardens Aromatherapy.” USA Today has provided the scent and product numbers for the product recall.
According to a CDC official (per Stat News), there is no indication of deliberate contamination. Instead, at this moment, the most probable reason is inadvertent contamination during the production process.
Consumers Urged To Immediately Stop Using The Product, Return It To Walmart Immediately
Patty Davis, a representative for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, told NBC News the agency is particularly worried about the possibility of future, possibly hazardous bacterial exposure. According to Davis, the CPSC contacted Walmart right after working with them to get the product out of customers’ hands. They want to make sure that no one else gets ill or dies.
Although the CDC has not confirmed the source of four illnesses, UPR said authorities found a container containing the same bacterium in the house of one of the persons who died due to the disease. The health agency urged other users to stop using the spray immediately return the product to any Walmart shop for a full refund and a $20 gift card.
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