Baby wipes recalled for possible bacteria

A Pennsylvania company is recalling all 10 brands of baby wipes it makes, including those made for  Family Dollar, the Walgreen Co.  and Diapers.com, as some packs may contain a bacterium known to pose a risk to people with certain health problems.

Nutek Disposables is recalling baby wipes it made that were sold under 10 brands: Cuties, Diapers.com, Femtex, Fred’s, Kidgets, Member’s Mark, Simply Right, Sunny Smiles, Tender Touch, and Well Beginnings.

The products were distributed before Oct. 21  to Diapers.com, Family Dollar, Fred’s, Sam’s Club and Walgreens, according to an Oct. 25 statement from the company that was posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website.

Nutek tested its products after getting a few complaints about odor and discoloration, and found the presence of a bacterium called Burkholderia cepacia, or B. cepacia, in some products. Nutek said it has received numerous complaints including fever, gastrointestinal issues, irritation, infections, rash and respiratory problems, but said the reports haven’t been confirmed to be related to its products.

The company, based in McElhattan, Pennsylvania, said it is still trying to find the cause of the problem and for now has stopped shipping baby wipes made at its facility. The bacteria found in the wipes "poses little medical risk to healthy people," but people with health issues such as weakened immune systems or chronic lung diseases, particularly cystic fibrosis, "may be more susceptible to infections with B. cepacia," according to the company’s statement.

Earlier this month, Nutek withdrew certain product lots from the market that had tested positive for the bacteria and other wipes made in surrounding time frames. Then, after testing more products, the company decided to withdraw all of its baby wipe products.

Anyone who bought the products can bring them back to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. Consumers can call the company at 855-646-4351, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. central time Monday through Friday, with questions.