Shampoo Recall Impacts US, Canada Over Concerns About Bacterial Contamination

There’s been a lot of coverage in recent years about frequent food recalls, but one of the FDA’s latest announcements is about a product that isn’t intended to be ingested.

According to the statement, a batch of one popular high-end shampoo may have been contaminated with a potentially harmful bacteria. 

According to Fox Business:

Kao USA Inc. is voluntarily recalling select lots of Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo in the U.S. and Canada after Pluralibacter gergoviae bacteria was found during testing.

The company said Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo in 8.5-ounce and 33.8-ounce sizes that were manufactured between Feb. 21, 2026 and Feb. 26, 2026 could be impacted.

News soon began to spread via social media:

I guess shampoo defeats its purpose lol 🤷‍♀️

— @Luna_Ruby (@polarbear9238) July 6, 2026

$166 for shampoo and it still couldn’t wash away the bacteria?!?!
At that price it should come with a personal microbiologist and a hazmat suit.

— Sarah (@Sarahj0j4) July 6, 2026

I never knew or enen thought that shampoo could get contaminated with bacteria 🤷‍♂️

— Alberta Dude (@DudeAlbert4520) July 6, 2026

NBC Chicago added these details:

The following products have been recalled: 

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• Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo (in 8.5 oz and 33.8 oz sizes), manufactured between Feb. 21, 2026, and Feb. 26, 2026, could be impacted.
• The affected lot codes for the 8.5 oz size (UPC 840035231242) can be found on the bottom of the bottle printed in black and begin with the prefix “YR”: o YR010556
• The affected lot codes for the 33.8 oz size (UPC 840035231273) can be found on the bottom of the bottle printed in black and begin with the prefix “YR”: o YR010566 o YR010576

A statement from Oribe manufacturer Kao USA said the company was working with the FDA to recall the lots from warehouses. 

“We are also asking retail and salon partners to remove affected lots from use and/or sale and return them to us for safe disposal,” the release said.

Here’s some additional coverage: