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A hand soap recall issued in June was recently labeled as Class II by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Amid rising cases of COVID-19, as well as slow-growing influenza and respiratory illnesses, hand hygiene remains an imperative infection deterrent. However, six types of hand soap distributed to 16 states may contain bacteria.

Intercon Chemical Co. recalled several liquid and foaming hand soaps due to possible Pseudomonas and Serratia bacteria contaminants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these two types of bacteria can cause infections, with Pseudomonas infections commonly occurring in healthcare settings. As public health experts elevate the importance of hand hygiene in reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and disease transmission in other environments, having contaminated hand soap compromises infection prevention protocols.

The FDA's Class II attribution indicates that exposure to products could result in adverse health consequences. The Intercon Chemical Co. hand soap recall follows the DermaRite Industries recall in 2025, which found certain hand soap and hand sanitizer products could result in serious infections such as sepsis. These events can undermine public trust in hand soap effectiveness, making education essential for commercial cleaning executives.

Consistent and compliant hand hygiene is the foundation of a comprehensive cleaning system. Making handwashing a visible practice can promote professionalism and influence others' decisions to wash their own hands. In fact, one in five individuals will skip handwashing when no one else is around, according to Bradley Company's annual Healthy Handwashing Survey. Additional measures commercial cleaning leaders can take to enhance hand hygiene convenience are to increase signage and improve data-tracking through sensor-based hygiene systems.

Learn more about strategies that promote hand hygiene here.