Child, 1 Adult Dead, 2 Others Sick From Deadly Bacteria Found In Aromatherapy Product Sold At Walmart (2024)

TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) -Walmart is recalling about 3,900 bottles of Better Homes and Gardens-branded- Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones in six different scents due to the possible presence of a rare and dangerous bacteria and risk of serious injury and death.

Child, 1 Adult Dead, 2 Others Sick From Deadly Bacteria Found In Aromatherapy Product Sold At Walmart (2)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested a version of the product and determined that it contained the dangerous bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei which causes melioidosis. CDC has been investigating a cluster of four cases of melioidosis in the U.S., including two deaths. Cases were reported in Texas, Minnesota, Texas and Kansas, including a child fatality.

Samples taken by 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 these 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 for about $4. "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

Walmart has stopped sale of the product. The product was made in India.

Consistent with CDC's guidance, consumers are urged to:

  • Stop using this product immediately. Do not open the bottle. Do not attempt to throw away or dispose of the bottle.
  • Double bag the bottle in clean, clear zip-top resealable bags and place in a small cardboard box. Return the bagged and boxed product to a Walmart store.
  • Wash sheets or linens that the product may have been sprayed on using normal laundry detergent and dry completely in a hot dryer, bleach can be used if desired.
  • Wipe 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.
  • If you have used the product within the last 21 days and experience fever or other symptoms, seek medical care and tell your doctor about the product exposure. Your doctor may recommend that you get antibiotics (post exposure prophylaxis) to prevent infection.
Child, 1 Adult Dead, 2 Others Sick From Deadly Bacteria Found In Aromatherapy Product Sold At Walmart (2024)

FAQs

Child, 1 Adult Dead, 2 Others Sick From Deadly Bacteria Found In Aromatherapy Product Sold At Walmart? ›

An aromatherapy room spray sold at Walmart may be linked to four cases of a highly uncommon bacterial infection that's rarely seen in the United States. The cases, diagnosed this year, were identified in Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota and Texas. Two of the people, including a child, have died.

What is the rare bacteria in aromatherapy? ›

This recently occurred in 2021 when a cluster of four cases in four states were linked to an imported contaminated aromatherapy spray. Melioidosis has a wide range of nonspecific symptoms like fever, joint pain, and headaches and can cause conditions that include pneumonia, abscess formation, or blood infections.

What mysterious fatal infections tied to room spray sold at Walmart? ›

Four cases of a serious, sometimes fatal infection called melioidosis that have bedeviled public health investigators for months appear to have been linked to an aromatherapy room spray sold at Walmart, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday.

What bacteria is in aromatherapy spray? ›

In October 2021, investigators with the CDC discovered the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei in the lavender and chamomile scent of Better Homes & Gardens Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray With Gemstones, which had been imported from India and sold at 55 Walmart stores.

Has a child died from essential oils? ›

The death of a small child occurred after the ingestion of 5 mL of camphorated oil (1). Camphorated oil is a CNS stimulant whose effects range from mild excitation to grand mal seizures or status epilepticus (2). It causes an abrupt onset of seizures 20 to 30 min after ingestion (1).

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