The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially assigned a Class II risk classification to a voluntary product recall initiated by the St. Louis-based Intercon Chemical Company. The safety action involves six distinct hand soap products due to potential bacterial contamination risks. As health authorities and consumers process the latest updates, BDUS News 24 provides a comprehensive overview of the affected items, distribution footprints, and safety recommendations.
Details of the Hand Soap Recall and Bacterial Risks
Originally launched as a voluntary recall by Intercon Chemical Company on June 29, 2026, the safety measure escalated following the FDA’s Class II risk designation. According to regulatory definitions, a Class II designation means that exposure to the affected product is unlikely to cause lasting harm, with health consequences expected to be temporary or reversible, keeping the risk of serious outcomes remote.
The nationwide distribution of these goods reached 20 recipient companies—comprising 19 wholesale distributors and one retailer—across 15 states, including California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. The entire sweep covers more than 2,600 combined cases across all six product lines.
Specific contamination findings were identified in two items: Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe and Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe. Laboratory evaluations associated these specific formulations with five bacterial strains:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas monteilii, Serratia marcescens, and Serratia nematodiphila. Meanwhile, the remaining four items—Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap (manufactured for R.I. Williams Company in Conover, North Carolina), Vestis Foaming Hand Soap (distributed by Vestis in Roswell, Georgia), and two Laura Lynn varieties (handled by Ingles Markets in Asheville, North Carolina)—were flagged for potential bacterial risks without naming particular strains.
Consumer Safety Guidelines and Next Steps
Health officials strongly advise anyone who purchased or came into possession of the recalled hand soap items to discontinue their use immediately. Consumers or businesses seeking further product inquiries can contact Intercon Chemical directly at their headquarters located at 1100 Central Industrial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110. Furthermore, individuals experiencing adverse reactions or wishing to report product quality concerns can utilize the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Reporting Program via their official website, telephone, or postal mail.
