Recall: Scrub Free Daily Shower Cleaner & Spray Recalled by Benckiser

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 1999 Release # 00-001

Company Phone Number: (800) 286-9055 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058 Scrub Free Contact: Karen Barnett, (212) 891-0468

CPSC, Benckiser Announce Recall of Scrub Free Daily Shower Cleaner and Daily Shower Spray

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Benckiser Consumer Products Inc. of Greenwich, Conn., is voluntarily recalling 230,000 bottles of Scrub Free Daily Shower Cleaner and Scrub Free Daily Shower Spray that can contain a bacteria. The bacteria usually does not affect healthy individuals, but could cause respiratory or other infections in individuals with chronic health problems or in individuals who have impaired immune systems.

Benckiser has not received any report of injury associated with this bacteria and these products.

Scrub Free Daily Shower Cleaner is sold in a clear plastic, 32- ounce spray bottle. The spray cap is white with a purple screw cap and pull-lever. The front of the bottle shows either a picture of a star fish or an octopus. The Scrub Free Daily Shower Spray is sold in white plastic, 32-ounce spray bottles and 64-ounce refill bottles. "Just Mist for Self-Cleaning Action!" is written on the label. The 32-ounce spray bottles also were sold with the refill bottles attached as a special promotion.

Supermarket, drug and discount department stores nationwide sold the affected lots of Scrub Free Daily Shower Cleaner and Scrub Free Daily Shower Spray from May 1999 through October 4, 1999 for about $2 to $4.

Consumers should immediately stop using Scrub Free Daily Shower Cleaner and Scrub Free Daily Shower Spray purchased prior to October 5, 1999. Shower enclosures that have been sprayed with these products should be washed with a diluted solution of vinegar (one part vinegar to two parts water). Consumers should call Benckiser at (800) 286-9055 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive a coupon for a free replacement bottle of any Scrub Free product. Consumers will need to provide information from their bottle of shower cleaner to get the coupon, and should then throw away the bottle of cleaner.

Scrub Free Daily Shower Cleaner and Scrub Free Daily Shower Spray purchased after October 4, 1999, and Scrub Free Mildew Remover and Scrub Free Soap Scum Remover are not included in this recall.