ST. GEORGE – A Pennsylvania company, Nutek Disposables Inc., that makes and distributes baby wipes under several brand names and via several retailers including internet sales, has issued a nationwide voluntary product recall of all lots of baby wipes that it manufactured under the brand names Cuties, Diapers.com, Femtex, Fred’s, Kidgets, Member’s Mark, Simply Right, Sunny Smiles, Tender Touch, and Well Beginnings, because, the company stated in a press release, some packages may contain bacteria.

According to Nutek’s statement posted with the Food and Drug Administration, the wipes were distributed by Nutek prior to Oct. 21 to the following retail stores: Walgreens, Sam’s Club, Family Dollar, Fred’s, and Diapers.com.

After receiving a small number of complaints of odor and discoloration, Nutek conducted microbial testing that showed the presence of a bacteria, called Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia), in some of these products. Soon after, on Oct. 3 the company initiated a voluntary withdrawal of lots that had tested positive for the bacteria, as well as other baby wipes in the surrounding time frame.

After some additional lots were tested, as a precautionary measure, the release stated, Nutek believed it was a prudent decision to withdraw all its baby wipe products.

Regarding the bacteria and its affect on people, the release stated:

B. cepacia poses little medical risk to healthy people. However, people who have certain health problems like weakened immune systems or chronic lung diseases, particularly cystic fibrosis, may be more susceptible to infections with B. cepacia. If you believe you have a weakened immune system or chronic lung disease and you have used one of the affected wipe products, you should call your doctor promptly for medical advice.

Nutek has received only one report of irritation since its voluntary recall Oct. 3, it said in its release. Numerous reports of complaints have since been received by the company that include rash, irritation, infections, fever, gastro-intestinal issues, and respiratory issues, though these reports have not been confirmed to be related to the use of these products.

The company has not identified the cause of the problem, but is continuing to investigate. In the interim, Nutek has stopped shipping baby wipes manufactured at the facility.

The company is working with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the affected retailers and distributors throughout this process to address the issue.

Consumers who have purchased this product can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-855-646-4351, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery. 

Related posts

• Hatch recognizes Utah’s $7 billion nutritional products industry
• Stepping out for Hope Pregnancy Care Center; STGnews Videocast
• Area hospitals not feeling pinch from saline shortage – yet
• Health Department alert: 3.8M child car seats recalled – February 2014
• Is your child or someone you know abusing inhalants?

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @JoyceKuzmanic

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.