EASTON, Md. - Some lots of a makeup remover that's packaged as a single towelette have tested positive for a bacteria that could cause eye infections, prompting a recall of the product in Canada and the United States.
Celeste Industries Corp. of Easton, Md., has recalled all lots of SimplySmart 'Remove' Makeup Remover, it said in a news release Monday.
The product was packaged as a single towelette with hiexpress.com shown on the packet. It isn't sold in stores but was provided as an amenity to guests at Holiday Inn Express hotels in the U.S. and Canada.
The contaminant is Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, which could cause serious eye infections, respiratory infections, dermatitis, soft tissue infections, bacteremia, and a variety of systemic infections, particularly in patients who are immunosuppressed.
The problem was discovered after a consumer complained of an odour coming the towelette packets. No illnesses have been reported.
Celeste Industries stopped producing the towelettes on Oct. 5 and notified the distributor and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Any hotel guests who may have taken the makeup towelette packets are advised to destroy them, the company said.
