Intercon Chemical recalled 2,696 cases across 15 states, including products distributed through Ingles Markets and several wholesale channels.
WASHINGTON — Federal regulators have classified a recall of six hand soap products as Class II after the soaps were linked to potential bacterial contamination, including several species of Pseudomonas and Serratia in two of the affected products.
St. Louis-based Intercon Chemical Co. voluntarily initiated the recall June 29, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration enforcement information. The FDA classified the action as Class II on Sept. 11. That designation is used when exposure to a recalled product may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems, or when the chance of serious health consequences is considered remote. The recall covers 2,696 cases of soap distributed through retail and wholesale channels in 15 states.
The six products are Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe, Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap, Vestis Foaming Hand Soap in Fresh Pear Scent, Laura Lynn Honey Apple Crisp Liquid Hand Soap and Laura Lynn Foaming Pear Scent Hand Soap with Moisturizers. The recall applies only to specific lots and best-by dates, rather than every product sold under those names.
FDA enforcement information identifies potential contamination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas monteilii, Serratia marcescens and Serratia nematodiphila in the Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe and Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe. The records for the other four products describe the reason for the recall more generally as potential bacterial contamination and do not identify those same organisms for each product.
The recalled 28.7-ounce Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe carries UPC 789745002981 and includes lot codes AF97312, 26-01001 and 26-01803. The FDA lists 693 cases of that product. The 34-ounce Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe carries UPC 789745002615 and includes lot codes 26-01001 and 26-01803. The recall covers 143 cases of the Clearly Better product. Some affected bottles have best-by dates extending into 2028.
Another 1,040 cases involve 28.7-ounce Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap, UPC 810080570030, with lot codes BF97303, BF97304 and BF97305. The affected lots carry February 2028 best-by dates. The Vestis portion of the recall covers 225 cases of 33.8-ounce Foaming Hand Soap in Fresh Pear Scent, UPC 810080570405. That product carries lot code 26-03091 and a best-by date listed as May 2028.
The two Laura Lynn products account for another 595 cases. The recall includes 301 cases of 8-ounce Laura Lynn Honey Apple Crisp Liquid Hand Soap, UPC 086854074305, with lot codes C3576 and 26-01804. It also includes 294 cases of 7.5-ounce Laura Lynn Foaming Pear Scent Hand Soap with Moisturizers, UPC 08685407408, with lot code 26-01001. The Honey Apple Crisp lots have best-by dates listed as Nov. 5, 2026, and March 2028, while the affected Foaming Pear product has a March 13, 2028, best-by date.
The products were distributed to 20 companies, including 19 wholesalers and one retailer, according to recall information. Distribution reached California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Because most recipients were wholesalers, some of the products may have been supplied to businesses or other facilities rather than being sold directly on store shelves.
Ingles Markets distributed the two Laura Lynn products. The Asheville, North Carolina-based grocer said Sept. 18 that every Ingles store received at least some of the affected soap before the recall. The company said it was notified July 7 and removed 1,714 individual units from shelves that day, including 1,064 units of the Honey Apple Crisp soap and 650 units of the Foaming Pear soap. Ingles said customers with products from the affected lots may return them for a full refund without a receipt. The company also said it had received no reports of illnesses or adverse reactions linked to the recalled Laura Lynn products as of Sept. 18.
Pseudomonas bacteria are commonly found in the environment, including soil and water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause infections in the blood, lungs, urinary tract and other parts of the body, particularly in health care settings. Some strains can resist antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. The FDA’s Class II classification indicates that serious adverse health consequences from the recalled products are considered unlikely.
The recall remains listed in the FDA enforcement system. The affected lots include products with best-by dates stretching into 2028, while Ingles says its affected Laura Lynn products have been off store shelves since July. Federal recall records continue to identify the products by brand, UPC, lot code and best-by date.
Author note: Last updated September 18, 2026.