ASHEBORO NC – Walmart is recalling an essential-oil aromatherapy spray after the CDC says it may have been linked to a rare and dangerous bacteria.
Tests conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that a bottle of the spray contained the rare and dangerous bacteria called Burkholderia pseudomallei. That bacteria causes melioidosis. a condition that is seen in Asia and Australia but in the U.S. is difficult to diagnose and can be fatal. The CDC said that they have been investigating a cluster of four confirmed cases of melioidosis in the U.S., two of which were fatal. The source of those four infections has not yet been confirmed, but samples taken by the CDC from a bottle of the Better Homes and Gardens Lavender & Chamomile aromatherapy room spray in the home of the Georgia victim found the presence of the dangerous bacteria.
The aromatherapy room spray was sold at about 55 Walmart stores nationwide and online at walmart.com from February 2021 through October 2021. Luckily the product was on a test market to only 55 stores. Managers at local Walmarts in Asheboro and Randleman were not able to say if the product was sold in their stores and directed all questions to Walmart Media Relations team which has not yet returned emails. Walmart has stopped sale of the product.
UPDATE 10/23/21 4:15 PM: A Walmart spokesperson has confirmed that none of the stores that sold the product were located in North Carolina.
Product information
“Better Homes and Gardens Aromatherapy,” is printed on the label on the front of the 5-ounce glass bottle. The aromatherapy was sold with a pump spray nozzle in the following scents and product numbers:
- 84140411420 Better Homes and Gardens (BHG) Gem Room Spray Lavender & Chamomile
- 84140411421 Better Homes and Gardens (BHG) Gem Room Spray Lemon and Mandarin
- 84140411422 Better Homes and Gardens (BHG) Gem Room Spray Lavender
- 84140411423 Better Homes and Gardens (BHG) Gem Room Spray Peppermint
- 84140411424 Better Homes and Gardens (BHG) Gem Room Spray Lime & Eucalyptus
- 84140411425 Better Homes and Gardens (BHG) Gem Room Spray Sandalwood and Vanilla
If you have a bottle of one of these products in your home
The CDC says you should stop using it immediately, do not open the bottle and do not attempt to throw away or dispose of the bottle. Instead they say you should double bag the bottle in clean, clear zip-top bags and place the bags in a small cardboard box and return it to a Walmart store. Walmart says they will refund customers who return the item with a $20 Walmart Gift Card.
Additionally you should wash sheets or linens that the product may have been sprayed on using normal laundry detergent and dry completely in a hot dryer as well as wiping down counters and surfaces that might have been exposed to the spray with an undiluted disinfectant cleaner.
Minimize handling of the product and wash hands thoroughly after handling the bottle or linens. Wash hands thoroughly after removing gloves.
Featured Image Credit: Alessandro Grandini / Adobe Stock