WBeauty Complete Clarifying Shampoo is sold in a single 250ml variant. The product has been removed from shelves.
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Woolworths' recall of a popular WBeauty shampoo after testing detected a bacterium called Pluralibacter gergoviae has raised questions about what the bacterium is, how it gets into personal care products and whether consumers need to be concerned.
The retailer has voluntarily recalled its 250ml WBeauty Complete Clarifying Shampoo, after additional testing found the presence of Pluralibacter gergoviae in a limited batch.
Woolworths reiterated that the risk to healthy individuals was considered low. However, customers with weakened immune systems are advised to stop using the product to avoid a possible bacterial infection.
The affected shampoo has been removed from shelves and customers can return it for a refund.
"WBeauty Complete Clarifying Shampoo is sold in a single 250ml variant. The product has been removed from shelves, and customers who have purchased this product should return it to their nearest Woolworths store for a full refund; proof of purchase is not required," the retailer said in a statement.
Pluralibacter gergoviae is a species of Gram-negative bacteria that was previously classified as Enterobacter gergoviae.
It is known to occur in environmental and industrial settings and has become a concern for the cosmetics and personal care industry because it has repeatedly been linked to contamination of products.
This bacterium can tolerate some preservatives used in cosmetics.
Research into its former classification, Enterobacter gergoviae, found that some strains showed resistance or reduced susceptibility to preservatives, potentially making the bacterium more difficult to control once it enters a cosmetic manufacturing environment.
It is worth noting that the presence of bacteria in a cosmetic product does not necessarily mean that contamination happened after a consumer opened the bottle.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, cosmetic products can become contaminated through a number of routes, including contaminated water, raw materials or other ingredients, poor manufacturing conditions, ineffective preservation systems, inadequate packaging, or poor storage and shipping conditions. Contamination can also happen during consumer use.
In Woolworths' case, the retailer said testing found Pluralibacter gergoviae, which it described as a bacterium sometimes found in wet manufacturing environments.
Woolworths has urged customers who bought the affected WBeauty Complete Clarifying Shampoo to stop using it and return it to their nearest Woolworths store for a full refund.
The product is sold in a single 250ml variant and has been removed from shelves. Woolworths has said proof of purchase is not required for a refund.
People who experience a rash, irritation or other unusual reaction after using a cosmetic product should stop using it and seek advice from a healthcare professional, particularly if they have a weakened immune system or damaged skin.
For most healthy people, Pluralibacter gergoviae is considered to pose a low risk.
However, the bacterium can act as an opportunistic pathogen, meaning it may be more likely to cause infection in people whose immune systems are weakened or whose natural protective barriers, such as the skin, are compromised.
However, the risk is low; and customers are advised to not self-diagnose or seek antibiotics without medical advice.
Published medical literature describes P. gergoviae as a relatively rare cause of human disease, but reports have linked it to opportunistic infections and, in vulnerable patients, more serious invasive infections.
Previous product recalls involving the bacterium have similarly warned that healthy people are generally unlikely to become ill, while immunocompromised people and those with damaged or irritated skin may face a greater risk of infection.
This does not mean everyone who used the WBeauty shampoo will become sick.
Rather, the recall is a precautionary measure to prevent possible exposure, particularly among people who may be more vulnerable to infection.
Bacteria and other microorganisms are not supposed to grow unchecked in cosmetic products.
Preservatives and strict manufacturing controls are used to prevent microbial contamination and protect consumers. But some bacteria can adapt to survive in environments designed to stop their growth.
Studies have identified P. gergoviae and the species under its previous Enterobacter classification as a recurring contaminant in cosmetics because of its ability to tolerate certain preservatives and adapt to conditions in cosmetic products.
A study of spoiled cosmetic products manufactured in South Africa also identified Enterobacter gergoviae as one of the predominant bacteria recovered from contaminated creams, highlighting that the organism has long been recognised as a challenge for the local cosmetics industry.
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