~Irina. When purchased online. FDA manuals suggest examining cosmetic firms that make "high-risk" products such as those used on infants, because they pose "the greatest potential health hazard if they become contaminated with bacteria.". Baby wipes are made from non-woven paper material that is soaked in water, with a small amount of sanitizer and preservative. I really dont think that any detergent is necessary considering he has a bath in the evening which clears it all out! However, all baby wipes must have preservatives because they are moist, and water is a potential breeding ground for bacteria and mold. It is a disinfectant and can serve as an antimicrobial preservative in products. WebPackage recycling varies across the different materials used. My daughters had diaper infections at least a couple, but I am happy to say my son has never had one. No FDA inspector returned to the plant. And we have not talked about the cloth ingredients of the wipes. Netizens took to Reddit to express their confusion about the safety of the Parents Choice Baby Wipes. This article will give you an answer to this question as well as describe the most common cosmetic preservatives (read my post Phenoxyethanol in Skin Care: Consider This! Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. He said it was the first major recall in the country of baby wipes for bacteria. Cottonelle has recalled several lots of its disposable wipes due to the possibility that they have been contaminated with bacteria. Snopes readers sent our team the following screenshots as examples of the types of social media posts they were seeing online: As of this writing, Snopes has not been able to independently verify whether a recall had been issued by either Walmart or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the governmental agency that oversees product recalls, corrections, and removals. They explained to me that the Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) in their water wipes for babies contained only three components. While this study identified benzethonium chloride in commercial grapefruit seed extracts, this one found benzalkonium chloride in GSE. Ralph Rudolph, the company's founder, told executives to spend whatever money they had to, "as long as we find the 'mole,' " according to an email sent to Wilson, one of the whistleblowers. Wilson and Jacques were fired in early 2008. Or should they? I figure, if the hospital uses only water on micro preemies, it must be the best thing. All rights reserved. Your email address will not be published. All hand sanitizers are not the same. 30 Apr. Rockline president Randy Rudolph says the company has a strong track record for making safe products, and that the problems in Arkansas were an anomaly that led to improvements at all of its plants. Wipes also can be considered devices if they are included in an injection kit, for instance. There are a lot of, surprise, surprise, bogus products out there. Both sued in federal court. Weakening your immune system can in turn allow more infections, which is the exact opposite of what hand sanitizer is supposed to do. By law, both plants are supposed to be inspected every two years. So what were these impurities? You can also subscribe without commenting. WaterWipes (USA) Inc., But it took me such a long while to decipher their ingredients. I also want to be sure that the wipes will remain safe after opening as, after all, bacteria which is unseen can be so dangerous. Now we know that there is benzalkonium chloride. on Twitter: "Just Posting for Any Mommas Who May Not Have Seen- Parents Choice Wipe Recall ". By the way, now the manufacturer of WaterWipes baby wipes discloses on their website that there is benzalkonium chloride in their water wipes for babies. On the one hand, I applaud the manufacturer for disclosing a full list of ingredients. They pull easily out of the packaging, which is easy to open and close, and the wipes are soft enough to please even the most delicate skin. The description of the properties of this chemical on INCHEM website (International Programme on Chemical Safety) says that it is HYGROSCOPIC WHITE-TO-YELLOW POWDER WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR and Decomposes on heating. It returned only after receiving the whistleblower letter. That kind of defiance has landed other companies in trouble with the FDA, according to Marcia Crosse, head of health care for the General Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress. The plant had added an in-house lab and treatment of its tap water. It discovered that most of the creams and lotions in question did not meet the official requirements. However, a few internet users claimed that the product had been withdrawn and that Walmart was initiating refunds for those who brought the items back to stores. Later, we got a box of Costco Kirkland baby wipes. Please enable JavaScript to experience this websites full functionality. You have JavaScript disabled in your browser. And I will begin with a little background. Hickok wrote in her inspection report that the firm used tap water without additional filtration or treatment. "It is about as high as you can get.". According to a U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA) announcement, ArtNaturals has issued a voluntary recall of ten lots of its Scent-Free Hand Sanitizer. The company's lab results were entered in court records through one of the whistleblower's lawsuits. Customers may return the product to any Walmart store for a refund. I prefer a cotton cloth, but sometimes I need a disposable wipe. Congress requires the FDA to inspect drug firms every two years, but the Journal Sentinel found that roughly 1,400 drug-making locations have not been inspected in five years or more. Microbiologists told the Journal Sentinel that regardless of the exact level, the FDA test indicates the product was adulterated. Join our informed consumer community and get our free guide the 5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home. Just make sure that you lather up for at least 20 seconds, which is the amount of time it takes to sing through the first chorus of the DiVinyls song I Touch Myself.. The question is whether regulation and testing have kept pace with the growth of the industry. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. In 2001,an FDA investigator visited Rockline's Arkansas plantafter learning the company was recalling baby wipes because of bacterial growth, agency records show. The screenshot below was taken on January 7, 2020, but we cant see the amount of benzalkonium chloride anymore. The press releases provide the steps you should take if you have purchased one of the recalled items. 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Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. I am a writer, journalist, professor, systems modeler, computational and digital health expert, avocado-eater, and entrepreneur, not always in that order. The company pledged to do a better job keeping the plant clean. What are your thoughts on using wipe warmers with Watervwipes? In other words, over time, repeatedly inhaling, ingesting, or touching benzene could lead to certain types of cancer. Remember, just because something has the word natural in its name doesnt necessarily mean that its good for your health. The Miami Herald did report on May 4 that at least 18 lots of the wipes were pulled by the box retailer for an unannounced reason. What a truly wonderful product, I strongly recommend to all mothers, pleas try them! Hi great article I like how its not entirely opinionated and pretty objective however Im leaning towards the wipes being unhygienic my 3 week old infant has developed a bad chapped( red, raw, inflamed looking) baby bum and I feel awful wiping her as she cries hysterically; it looks painful. The recalled products contain methanol, or wood alcohol, which can be harmful if absorbed through the skin or fatal if ingested. The Miami Herald did report on May 4 that at least 18 lots of the wipes were pulled by the box retailer for an unannounced reason. Accessed 4 May 2022. The FDA test of Rockline wipes revealed levels of a different bacterium,Burkholderia cepacia, that microbiologists interviewed by the Journal Sentinel called "gross contamination.". These wipes were the closest thing I could find to what they used in the hospital and I absolutely love them. Sam's Club will make every effort to call, mail, or email members regarding any recalls, or in the case of certain federally-regulated recalls, will assist the product manufacturer in its attempt to contact you. Do you always use them within 4 weeks of opening? WebA list of 63 baby wipes with ratings from the safest to the least safe. But the law does not spell out what conditions or organism levels are violations, leaving each company to set its own standards, microbiologists said. No problem with mould nor bacterial infections on his bottom, though I was always conscious of the lack of preservatives in these wipes so now that were using less of them we only have one pack opened at once and finish it well within 4 weeks. Yay! Please keep us updated. Two reasons. But we also use the Costco brand wipes with just as much success (they are hypoallergenic). No serious injuries or illness have been definitively linked to the contaminated wipes. I chose the waterwipes because i figured they were the most pure and simple. WebWaterWipes Biodegradable Original Baby Wipes (Select Count) WaterWipes. The plant made moist towelettes and baby wipes for private label customers. Nothing else has changed. Attention Parents: A Nationwide Recall Has Been Issued for Bacterial Contamination of 10 Brands of Baby Wipes. A form ofStaph aureuswas implicated in the toxic shock syndrome that sickened and killed women through contaminated tampons in the 1970s. An FDA report noted that company leaders thought sanitation problemswere to blame for the current contamination. It was listed in Rockline's internal lab results - which the inspector could not copy. The picture below shows that Irish Breeze claimed that there was only 0.002% of benzalkonium chloride in their WaterWipes baby wipes. "It was either manufactured filthy or it is inadequately preserved and allowed low numbers of microorganisms to grow to unacceptable levels.". Really appreciate your thoughts on this and love your info. The CEO and the person responsible for online media took the time to answer all my questions, which I highly appreciated. Parents around the country use baby wipes on their infants and young toddlers many times a day, never suspecting that these products may be unsanitary or unsafe for use on a babys or childs skin. The first six digits of the printed number display the same as well. Yet the agency took no enforcement action. Let us know when you hear back from them. In a world of more noise, choices and advice, less can be more. And rate them 1-10 or in an ordered list or better to worst? We promise not to send you any junk. Tests showed the presence of Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacea). A review of case files and an analysis of the FDA's inspection database by the Journal Sentinel shows lax manufacturing practices by the wipes manufacturers, shoddy oversight by the FDA and a failure by anyone to adequately notify the public of health risks. Im leaning more and more to the water wipes that at least acknowledge their preservative such as phenoxyethanol as I feel theyre actually more honest than all these companies targeting the natural market and only disclosing what sounds good to concerned parents. Currently, specific numbers of the products are being removed from shelves after people reported that infants were dealing with respiratory issues after using the wipes. We have been using these wipes for almost 2 years with our son, and they have been great for us. FDA expands hand sanitizer recall to at least 75 brands across the U.S. 2021, https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/postmarket-requirements-devices/recalls-corrections-and-removals-devices. And you probably wouldnt want to have natural uranium in your soup, right? What store brand is And he said the plant's use of tap water and its policy to ship before receiving test results were accepted industry practices, despite what the experts told the Journal Sentinel. Item model number : 980040803. Whoa, Baby! The inspector also failed to note customers had complained about foreign objects in the wipes. I had gotten a free sample and tried to use them on my 8 week old daughter and she screamed in pain like it hurt her, she has no rash and has never cried while getting a diaper change. b belle2525 Feb 16, 2021 at 5:48 PM last month I ordered wipes from Amazon. Washcloths and pure water give her a rash too. Our original baby wipes, with one major improvement: they are now plastic free*. The FDA did not check that promise until 2006. Second, any product that contains water should have a broad-spectrum preservation system to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria in order to keep babies safe from infection. Amazon Elements is the brand. FDA records show Rockline's plant in south China and products shipped from there have not been inspected. Pampers Aqua Pure 10. "This episode was problematic. Thank you! Sam Wilson, the plant's human resources director, and Teri Jacques, who worked for him, were alarmed that the company was not telling anyone about the contamination. "We are all about doing the right thing, and it's the reason we are having success with our major customers," he said. The website stated that the product contained arsenic and mercury, leading to an unexpected color change. Thank you! Irish Breeze was the name of the wipes manufacturing company. Hi Vicky, yes, Jackson Reece baby wipes are okay. They are still ideal for sensitive, newborn and premature babys skin and contain only two ingredients, 99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract. Parents worry about the possible recall of these baby wipes with the ongoing formula shortage in the US, including Parents Choice Formula, following the massive Similac recall involving Cronobacter and Salmonella bacteria. WebThe recall is limited to specific lots of Cottonelle Flushable Wipes and Cottonelle GentlePlus Flushable Wipes manufactured between February 7, 2020 September 14, 2020. Know that this is 50 times smaller than the limit set by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel, cosmetic industry organization, for people with healthy (not diseased) skin. ~Irina, Hello, "I wouldn't want to use a wipe with organisms at that level, especially on a baby," said Charles Gerba, a microbiology professor at the University of Arizona and a member of an FDA advisory board. This material may not be reproduced without permission. In addition, they said that there was no food in the wipes for germs to grow, even after the opening of the pack. She doesnt scream like other wipes with a rash, and I noticed doesnt get as red. And they do clean up poopy bums just fine. A spokesman for Rockline told the Journal Sentinel the initial test results were contradictory but once the company saw there was a problem, it notified customers and the FDA. 2023 I Read Labels For You. If the problems were serious, they said, the FDA would have taken action. I got an email today saying there had been many costumer complaints because they were making babies skin turn orange. One such example is a user who posted in an online forum hosted by Baby Center claiming that the wipes are causing an orange color that doesnt come off and burns that are due to exposure of metals like arsenic and mercury. The story was also picked up by the sports website Sportskeeda, which acknowledged on May 3 that internet rumors were circulating about the wipes, and cited an unlinked official statement made on April 28. "That is profound," Geis said. The FDA has returned and found fresh problems, but once again hasn't taken any enforcement action. WebTHD SKU 1004183960. Please enable JavaScript to experience this websites full functionality. Hi my granddaughter had major surgery to hr bottom. The mould was there before i opened it and does not expire unitl 2016. Some skincare and personal care product manufacturers who use grapefruit seed extract (GSE) claim that natural GSE has antimicrobial properties. There is no doubt about that," he said. Wilson wrote back that the private investigator hired by Rockline had interviewed employees and done handwriting analysis and computer searches. It makes me wonder: has the concentration changed? Thank you for reaching out to I Read Labels For You! Rockline, which makes wipes for retailers under different brand names, announced a nationwide recall later that month of 20 brands of potentially contaminated baby wipes but said they posed little risk. It is good to know. FDA inspectors found problems at Rockline's Arkansas plant in 2001, in 2006 and again in June - sometimes in the same areas - but the agency did not take enforcement action. Is Sealy Soybean Foam-Core Crib Mattress Safe? An email with the subject line Dept. There is some evidence that this well-known irritant may cause contact allergy even at concentrations as low as 0.1% (source). The whistleblowers were ultimately fired. Non-sterile wipes are not subject to clear bacteria limits but are regulated as a drug if they are anti-bacterial. Rockline officials said they put consumer safety first and denied they knowingly shipped contaminated products. FDA inspector Janice Hickok arrived at the Springdale, Ark., plant on Nov. 7, 2006 - two weeks after the whistleblower letter was sent. I do not trust this company , I emailed them directly because my baby broke out from wipes, they would not show me evidence of test results- something seems shady. The step-by-step instructions on the GSE production process they described made sense to me. Federal law says a cosmetic must not be "adulterated" - meaning made in unsanitary conditions - or have high levels of organisms on it. Thank you for the question! Kimberly-Clark announced a recall of some its Cottonelle Flushable Wipes products. Suitable for newborns and premature babies delicate and sensitive skin, The National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, Only 2 ingredients - 99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract, 0% artificial fragrance, sulphates & colors. The labels also state DISTRIBUTED BY THE KROGER CO, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202. FDA has the authority to inspect overseas operations if their product comes to the U.S., but no inspection has been performed, according to agency records. Suite 317, I have sent pics and a message to the company via Facebook. To read our affiliate policy, click here. ", More:How data was gathered for this report. This came after FDA testing had found potential cancer-causing impurities in one of the lots. All of these 10 lots include eight ounce bottles of the product, bear a Universal Product Code (UPC) of 816820028205, and have an expiration date of May 1, 2022. Rao, Karishma. That bacterium threatens people with compromised immune systems, is antibiotic-resistant and can live even in alcohol solutions, according to Dave Warshauer, chief bacteriologist at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. They easily clean poo off the skin without effort and Im impressed that they dont come fragaranced. The US National Library of Medicine has compiled studies showing that GSEs antimicrobial properties come from the additional ingredients in it. Two patients died and one patient had lesions in the eye and kidney resulting fromthe infection. Moreover, the Wipe Out! We never had a single problem with diaper rash until I brought him home and started using store-bought wipes; even with the sensitive skin ones it was just awful. Recalled Product: WAYNE WaterBUG GLOW Multi-Use Pump sold between July 2019March 2021. Zeppos said the Arkansas facility was clean. I cant imagine choosing these for my infant and never knowing that it would have such a strong tingling sensation and possibly cause him irritation. "You just can't control everything unless maybe it's a sealed plant that is building microchips," he said. "That is unusual and would likely be cause for heightened alarm at the agency," Crosse said. Get the latest on new products and stories from our community. Claim: Several brands of baby wipes available in the U.S. were recalled in 2017 because they pose a risk of serious infection. Accessed 4 May 2022. We pretty much do use them within the 4 week time frame since we still do a lot of diaper changes and we use Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm afterwards, this has worked well for us along with using Bambo (for night use) and Earths Best (for day use) diapers. The official Walmart website has not stated that the product has been removed from shelves. Dont forget to add a box of WaterWipes to your baby registry. Hi, ive just read your blog to see if anyone had experienced mould in the wipes like i have in the last packet i brought. And who doesnt use a pack of baby wipes up within 4 weeks? The problem is benzene can be very marrow-minded, messing with the cells in your bone marrow. But I was thankful for their willingness to walk me through the creation process of their wipes in detail. Five years ago, whistleblowers sent a letter to federal regulators warning that contaminated baby wipes were streaming out of an Arkansas factory - and the Wisconsin-based owner wasn't telling the government or the public. Hi Kate: I am so sorry to hear that. Well, not any longer. Now, the same plant is in the midst of recalling the same product, again because of contamination. Very worried. These really worry me as by the time you can see mould its already infested everything. He worked as a janitor when he arrived, later rising to vice president of a Sheboygan-area factory before the plant moved and he was laid off. FDA officials, who did not dispute the findings, said they focus limited resources on plants that pose the most risk to the public. Thanks for your information. 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