Walmart Recalls Aromatherapy Spray Due to Bacterial Concerns
On October 22, 2021, Reuters reported that Walmart recalled approximately 3,900 bottles of aromatherapy spray out of concern for the safety of consumers. The recall came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tested a version of an aromatherapy spray by Better Homes and Gardens and detected a rare and potentially deadly bacteria.
Health officials suspect that the rare and dangerous bacteria, Burkholderia pseudomallei, found in the Better Homes and Gardens room spray with gemstones, might be responsible for at least two deaths and four illnesses across the country.
Some of the following scents might contain dangerous bacteria and be included in the recall:
- gem room spray lavender
- gem room spray sandalwood
- gem room spray lime
- gem room spray lemon
If you are unsure about whether the product you have is part of the recall, you can try contacting Walmart.
What Should You Do If You Bought Recalled Better Homes and Gardens Essential Oil Room Spray?
The recall applies to 3,900 bottles of a product called “Walmart’s Better Homes and Gardens-labeled Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones.” (BHG Gem Room Spray)
Reuters reported that Walmart sold the aromatherapy room spray manufactured in India, at more than fifty stores and on its website. The recalled room spray was also sold on the Walmart website between February 2021 and October 2021. Walmart is trying to prevent further sales of Better Homes and Gardens room spray that might contain dangerous bacteria.
The CDC (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has warned the public of the possible presence of a rare bacteria in Better Homes and Gardens oil infused aromatherapy room spray. If you think you might have one of the recalled spray products in your home – the CDC suggests you do the following:
- Immediately stop using the aromatherapy spray
- Do not open the bottle
- Do not throw it away
- Double bag the spray in clear Ziploc bags
- Place the item in a small cardboard box
- Bring the securely bagged and boxed product to any Walmart store
- Wash sheets, clothes, and linens that might have been sprayed with the product
- Wipe down all surfaces with anti-bacterial disinfectants that might have come in contact with the spray and its dangerous bacteria.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said that people who return the recalled products to a Walmart store would receive a gift card.
Why Did Walmart Recall Better Homes and Gardens Aromatherapy Room Spray?
The CDC found the rare and potentially deadly bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei inside the bottles of some of the recalled room sprays.
Burkholderia pseudomallei causes melioidosis, which is a rare but serious disease. It can lead to potentially deadly infections.
The CDC was researching several confirmed cases of melioidosis in the US earlier in 2021. Cases of melioidosis in the US are usually the result of people traveling out of the country and bringing it back with them. It is not an illness that can be transmitted from person to person. One gets melioidosis from direct contact with soil, water, or other agent contaminated with Burkholderia pseudomallei.
These cases, however, did not involve individuals who traveled at all. Typically, the United States sees only about twelve cases of melioidosis a year, most of them in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The bacterial infection is much more common in tropical climates, predominantly in Northern Australia and Southeast Asia.
The CDC was deeply concerned about the four infections and two deaths from melioidosis. While investigating these recent cases of melioidosis, the CDC found a contaminated bottle of the Better Homes and Gardens aromatherapy spray in the home of one victim who lives in Georgia. The agency is trying to determine if the other victims in Kansas, Texas, and Minnesota, also used the aromatherapy room spray.
What Are the Symptoms of Melioidosis?
Melioidosis has a long list of possible symptoms which can appear anywhere from one day to years after exposure to the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria. Typically, symptoms begin about two to four weeks after exposure. Anyone exposed to the bacteria can develop melioidosis.
But those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, cancer, liver disease, renal disease, or COPD are at greater risk.
The illness often presents like pneumonia or tuberculosis.
According to the CDC, signs and symptoms of melioidosis can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Sepsis
- Respiratory distress, coughing, wheezing
- Chest pain
- Disorientation
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle pain
- Abscess
- Weight loss
- Brain infection
- Seizures
The CDC suggests you seek medical care if you have any of these symptoms and used Walmart’s Better Homes and Gardens Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones within the past few days or weeks. Tell your doctor if you might have been exposed to a potentially deadly bacteria.
Call Alonso Krangle, LLP If You Have Become Ill Because of Recalled Products
If you have become sick because of a product that has been recalled, you might be able to take legal action against the maker of the product.
Manufacturers have legal responsibilities to ensure their products are not unreasonably dangerous. When they fail to live up to their duties to the public, they might owe compensation to injured victims.
Call our dangerous product lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP today at 800-403-6191 to determine if you are entitled to seek compensation after being injured by recalled aromatherapy room spray or suffering another product related injury.