Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaners Recalled

Nearly 5 million bottles of Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner products have been recalled by Colgate-Palmolive over concerns they may pose a risk of exposure to bacteria that could result in serious infections for people with weakened immune systems, external medical devices, or underlying lung conditions.

About 1 million of the bottles were available for sale between December 2022 and January 2023 through online retailers as well as Walmart, Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Family Dollar and Dollar General stores. A list of the UPC and lot codes of the recalled products can be found online at www.fabuloso.com/recall.

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Exposure to the bacteria does not generally affect people with healthy immune systems, according to the recall notice. But those exposed with “weakened immune systems, external medical devices, or underlying lung conditions” could face “a risk of serious infection that may require medical treatment.”

Colgate-Palmolive advises consumers to immediately stop using the recalled products. To get a refund or replacement, the company says consumers should take a picture of the product’s UPC and lot code and then complete the online consumer recall form.

Importantly, the company cautions against emptying the recalled product from its container. Instead, the product should be left in the bottle and disposed of in the household trash.

In announcing the voluntary recall, the company said less preservative than intended had been added to bottles produced in the United States from Dec. 14, 2022, through Jan. 23, 2023. As a result, the products may contain bacteria that could infect people. In all, 4.9 million bottles were produced during this period but 3.9 million bottles were never available for sale, according to the Colgate-Palmolive.

The manufacturing error has since been fixed, the company says.

The recall notice is posted on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.