WalMart Aromatherapy Recall Expanded As CDC Warns More Scents May Carry Deadly Bacterial Contamination

Federal regulators say bacterial contamination of aromatherapy spray sold at Walmart, which has already been linked to at least two deaths, may be present in other aromatherapy products, resulting in an expansion of the recall.

An outbreak of Burkholderia pseudomallei infections caused Melioidosis illnesses initially involved individuals in Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, and Texas, who used one product sold by Walmart. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expanding the recall to include five more products sold under same brand, Better Homes and Gardens Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray in the Lavender & Chamomile scent.

The CDC expanded the investigation and recall to include five additional scents from the Better Homes and Gardens brand: Lemon & Mandarin, Lavender, Peppermint, Lime & Eucalyptus, and Sandalwood & Vanilla.

The agency conducted whole genome sequencing of bottles of the Better Homes and Gardens aromatherapy room spray in the Lavender & Chamomile scent, leading to a Walmart recall in October. The sequencing confirmed a match for the bacterial strain of Burkholderia pseudomallei that sickened all four patients and was the source of the outbreak after a three month investigation.

A bottle of Lavender & Chamomile scented Better Homes and Garden room spray was found in the home of the Georgia resident who was infected and died from B. pseudomallei infection in July 2021. The same outbreak strain was also identified in an unopened bottle of the same scented product recalled at a Walmart store in a different state.

The CDC is conducting testing for the presence of B. pseudomallei in the five other scents under the same brand and Walmart has expanded the recall to include those other scents.

Melioidosis is an illness caused by exposure to the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria. This is typically a tropical illness which can infect both humans and animals. About one dozen cases are reported to the CDC every year. These infections typically occur in people returning after visiting a tropical country where the disease is endemic.

The recalled Better Homes and Gardens essential oil room sprays were sold online through Walmart and distributed to 55 Walmart stores nationwide from February and October 21, 2021. The products were originally manufactured in India.

Consumers who have the affected product or any other recalled scents in their home should stop using the product immediately and do not open the bottle, according to CDC recommendations. The product should not be thrown away in the regular trash can, but instead should be double bagged in a zip-top bag and returned to Walmart, according to the agency.

The CDC recommends consumers wash their hands thoroughly after handling the product, and wipe down surfaces which may have had contact with the spray. Sheets sprayed with the product can be washed with normal laundry detergent and dried completely in a hot dryer.

If you used the product within the past 21 days and develop a fever or other symptoms, the CDC urges you to seek medical care and inform your doctor about your exposure to the spray. If you were exposed to the product, but do not have symptoms, check with your doctor. Your doctor may recommend a course of antibiotics to prevent infections.

Consumers can contact Walmart with additional questions about the recalled products at 800-925-6278.