The item could contain bacterium linked to respiratory diseases, urinary tract infections, eye infections, and even sepsis
Supermarkets are fast becoming front-runners when it comes to beauty and skincare. Scots who previously went to drugstores and make-up countries for their facial bits may now be picking up dupes on their weekly food shop.
However, one product from a major retailer is being whipped from shelves after being found to pose a potential infection risk, with bacterium linked to respiratory diseases, urinary tract infections, eye infections, and even sepsis.
Tesco is recalling various Tesco Kind & Pure Facial Cleansing Wipes due to unsatisfactory microbiological testing and detecting the presence of a bacterium, Pluralibacter gergoviae, making products potentially unsafe for use.
The item was swiped on Tuesday, July 29 as a “precautionary measure”.
The bacterium is “becoming a real concern in the cosmetics and personal care industry,” according to Melbec Microbiology, one of Britain’s leading UKAS accredited testing laboratories, “due to its resistance to many common preservatives and its potential to cause infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals”.
Products affected
Tesco Kind & Pure 25 Facial Cleansing Wipes 163g
Affected batch codes: 5128723, 5129723, 5130723, 5123723, 5144723, 5145723,
5146723, 5163723, 5164723, 5168723, 5169723, 5188723, 5176715, 5177715
Tesco Kind & Pure Radiant Facial Cleansing Wipes Vitamin C 25 Pack 159g
Affected batch codes: 5187723, 5186723, 5188723, 5154715, 5155715, 5156715
Melbec Micriology’s website states: “Although infections in healthy individuals are rare, P. gergoviae can cause severe infections in people with weakened immune systems, chronic illnesses, or those undergoing surgery. The bacterium has been linked to respiratory diseases, urinary tract infections, eye infections, and sepsis.”
The contamination of cosmetic products with P. gergoviae has led to several product recalls in Europe.
Cosmetic products should really be entirely free from this bacterium, the lab added.
Thankfully, no other Tesco products are affected by this recall.
If you have purchased an affected product, Tesco are urging you not to use it.
Instead, customers can return it in-store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required.
For more information, visit Tesco’s contact page.
Alternatively, you can also contact Tesco Customer Services on 0800 505 555.
Elsewhere, Waitrose shoppers are being urged to look through their shopping and check the dates on any Waitrose and Partners Egg and Spinach Protein Pots they have recently purchased after a separate recall was issued.
The supermarket has released an important safety warning for anyone who has bought the protein pot with the use by dates of July 31 and August 1. This is due to the potential presence of Salmonella, which could cause shoppers to become ill if they consume the product.
If shoppers have bought the 90g Egg and Spinach Protein Pot with the mentioned dates, they are being urged to not consume the product, package up the item and return the product to their local Waitrose branch for a a refund.
