Vernacare issues voluntary recall across all ‘in date’ cosmetic products as part of an ongoing Pseudomonas investigation. 

Following confirmed detection of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in a limited number of products, Vernacare have today issued a voluntary recall across all cosmetic goods manufactured at its Lancashire facility and have ceased production until the root cause is identified.

To support the investigation, Vernacare undertook repeat microbial testing on a range of product lots under review by the Norwegian authorities. Unfortunately, the results of the independent testing identified that, despite rigorous testing before release, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa was present in some products.

As a result of the above findings, Vernacare have launched a full and thorough investigation alongside EU Responsible Person (MSL Solution Providers) to identify the root cause of the contamination. The investigation is very much ongoing, with all parts of our manufacturing process, incoming raw material components and product handing under intensive review. During this investigation period, cosmetic production at our Lancashire facility has been temporarily paused.

The root cause has yet to be identified and because of this, the decision has been taken, as a precautionary measure, to issue a full voluntary recall on all ‘in date’ cosmetic products manufactured at the affected facility. This decision has been supported by the Irish Health Products Regulatory Authority.

Whilst Vernacare are fully aware of the implications of halting production and withdrawing mass stock from the healthcare market, the decision has been taken solely in the interest of patients and residents being cared for using these hygiene products. Patient safety remains our utmost priority and until corrective and preventative action can be taken, our focus is firmly on eliminating all potential risk as quickly as possible.