What to Know About the October 2022 Pine-Sol Recall

Millions of people use Pine-Sol daily to keep their homes clean and germ-free. However, during a routine inspection, Clorox found millions of Pine-Sol bottles may contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a hazardous organism commonly found in soil and water that can cause illness.

Products in the Pine-Sol recall include:

• Pine-Sol Multi-Surface cleaner: Sparkling Wave, Lemon Fresh, and Lavender Clean scents
• Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaner: Lavender Clean, Orange Energy, Lemon Fresh, and Sparkling Waves scents

The original formula of Pine-Sol is not part of the recall. 

People who have Pine-Sol Multi-Surface or All Purpose Cleaners should check their bottles to determine whether what they have is one of the 37 million bottles impacted. 

The Pine-Sol solution may contain harmful bacteria if the date code on the bottle begins with A4 and ends with five digits less than 22249.

Clorox produced the affected bottles at its plant in Forest Park, Georgia.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a type of bacteria typically found in soil and water. It is highly infectious and can cause blood infections, pneumonia, or other diseases. 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is increasingly resistant to antibiotic treatment and can cause severe illness or even death, especially in individuals who are immunocompromised.

Symptoms of an infection include fever, low blood pressure, yellowing of the skin, difficulty breathing, itching, sinus issues, swelling of the ears or hearing loss, and purple-colored spots on the skin.

Not all symptoms apply to every infection. Symptoms can vary depending on the infection’s location, including the lungs, eyes or ears, skin, blood, urinary tract, and heart.

Individuals most susceptible to severe Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection are those with preexisting conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, and cancer. Babies, children, and adults over 60 should also be cautious.

However, anyone can develop an illness from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. If you notice symptoms of the disease, see a doctor immediately.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 37 million bottles may contain the bacteria. Clorox manufactured the bottles between January 2021 and September 2022. If you’ve purchased Pine-Sol during that period, it may contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

If the Pine-Sol recall impacts your bottle of Pine-Sol, do not open or use it for cleaning purposes. Take a picture of the 12-digit UPC and date code and dispose of the bottle with your regular household trash. 

If you have your receipt, contact Pine-Sol for a full refund. If you don’t have the receipt, Pine-Sol will refund you the suggested retail price (MSRP).

Potentially contaminated Pine-Sol was sold at retailers nationwide, including Amazon.com, Walmart, Home Depot, BJ’s, Kroger, Target, Sam’s Club, Publix, and other stores. All product sizes may contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Check your bottle carefully to determine whether it meets the product recall specifications. All bottles beginning with A4 and ending with a number less than 22249 may contain the bacteria.

Antibiotics are the most common treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Topical creams can help. Unfortunately, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is becoming harder to treat with antibiotics, and people with existing conditions are more prone to severe or fatal infections. 

If you’ve recently used a contaminated bottle of Pine-Sol, reclean the areas with another disinfectant and monitor yourself and your family members for signs of infection.

If you recently had a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, you may have developed it from Pine-Sol. Check your household cabinets to see if you have Pine-Sol and whether it fits the product recall specifications. If it does, you may be able to claim damages to cover your medical expenses and other losses from Clorox.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly infectious bacteria that can cause severe infection and may be deadly to some individuals. 

If you believe Pine-Sol caused your sickness or your loved one’s death, contact Morgan and Morgan. We can help you recover damages for your losses and get back on your feet. Schedule a free case evaluation with us today.