A major international cosmetics brand, Henkel, has issued a recall of more than 1,000 bottles of its Tec Italy Shampoo due to contamination with a potentially deadly bacterium, Klebsiella oxytoca.
According to Mailonline, the Germany-based company voluntarily recalled 1,068 units of its Tec Italy Shampoo for “dry and damaged hair” after the product tested positive for the bacteria, which is naturally found in the human intestinal tract, mouth, and nose.
While typically harmless in the intestines, Klebsiella oxytoca can become life-threatening if it enters the bloodstream, with a fatality rate of 10 to 20 percent in infected patients.
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, the recalled products were shipped from a facility in Mexico to distributors, including C&R Beauty, Caesar’s Professional Products Inc., and Vero Beauty Distributors.
Though Tec Italy is a well-known brand available at major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon, the affected shampoo was reportedly sold directly to salons. The exact number of salons or customers impacted remains unknown.
The recalled products bear the lot code 1G27542266 and have an expiration date of May 27, 2027. So far, no illnesses have been reported.
The FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning exposure to the product could cause temporary or medically reversible health issues, though the likelihood of serious harm is considered low.
This development comes just months after another Tec Italy product, the Tonico Shampoo, was recalled in January due to possible contamination with E. coli bacteria.
Klebsiella oxytoca infections, while rare—affecting approximately 100 Americans annually—can be severe. If introduced into the bloodstream, the bacteria can cause pneumonia-like symptoms such as fever, chills, shortness of breath, and coughing.
Other complications may include painful urination, lower abdominal pain, and vomiting.
While most patients recover with antibiotics, those with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions face a higher risk of severe complications like sepsis or secondary infections.
At this time, the FDA has not provided specific guidance on the disposal of the affected products.
Consumers and salon owners who have purchased the recalled shampoo are advised to stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer or their distributor for further instructions.
