Hibiwash Recalled Due to Microbial Contamination

MHRA Guidance & Safety

Filed March 23rd, 2026

Detected March 24th, 2026

Summary

The MHRA has issued a precautionary recall for three batches of Hibiwash, an antimicrobial wash, due to microbial contamination identified at the manufacturing facility. Mölnlycke Health Care is advising healthcare professionals and retailers to stop supplying the affected batches and patients to stop using them.

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What changed

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced a precautionary recall of three specific batches (5156042, 5156043, and 5156093) of Hibiwash, an antimicrobial wash manufactured by Mölnlycke Health Care. The recall is due to microbial contamination with Burkholderia cepacia identified during routine monitoring at the manufacturing facility. While no patient harm has been reported, certain patient groups, such as those with cystic fibrosis or awaiting lung transplants, are at higher risk.

Healthcare professionals and retailers are instructed to stop supplying the affected batches and return them to suppliers. Patients with the specified batch numbers are advised to stop using the product and return it for safe disposal. Patients who are particularly vulnerable and have received the product since February 10, 2026, will be contacted directly. Alternative chlorhexidine gluconate 4% washes are not affected by this recall. This action impacts approximately 50,000 units.

What to do next

Stop supplying Hibiwash batches 5156042, 5156043, and 5156093.
Return all remaining stock of affected batches to suppliers.
Advise patients to stop using Hibiwash with affected batch numbers and return for disposal.

Source document (simplified)

Press release

Precautionary recall of Hibiwash due to microbial contamination

As a precautionary measure, Mölnlycke Health Care is recalling three batches of Hibiwash, an antimicrobial wash, due to microbial contamination at the manufacturing facility.

From: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Published 23 March 2026

As a precautionary measure, Mölnlycke Health Care is recalling three batches of Hibiwash, an antimicrobial wash, due to microbial contamination at the manufacturing facility.

Contamination with Burkholderia cepacia was identified during routine weekly monitoring, but there have been no reports of patient harm.

The risk from Burkholderia cepacia is very low for most people, but some patient groups are at a higher risk and may be more vulnerable to infection. This includes patients who have cystic fibrosis or are awaiting lung transplant. There have currently been no confirmed cases of Burkholderia cepacia infection in patients from the affected batches.

Healthcare professionals and retailers should stop supplying Hibiwash with batch numbers 5156042, 5156043, and 5156093 and return all remaining stock to suppliers. Patients should check for the batch number on the bottle and those who have an impacted batch of Hibiwash should stop using it. Patients with cystic fibrosis or who are awaiting lung transplant who have been supplied with Hibiwash since 10 February 2026 will be contacted directly to check if they have an impacted batch. If you have not been contacted directly, then contact the team responsible for your care. .

Alternative chlorhexidine gluconate 4% washes are available and are not impacted by this recall.

Shareen Doak, Deputy Director, Benefit-Risk Evaluation, at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said:

“If you have Hibiwash, check the packaging for batch numbers 5156042, 5156043 or 5156093 and stop using it. These batches could be contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia and should be taken to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

“Please be reassured that there have been no reports of patient harm associated with this microbial contamination, and this recall is being carried out as a precaution.

“If you have used the product and are concerned that you may be vulnerable to infection or have experienced an adverse reaction, please seek medical advice.

“Any suspected adverse reactions can be reported to the MHRA through the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme scheme.”

Notes to editors

Please see MHRA’s Class 2 recall for further information.
This recall impacts around 50,000 units of Hibiwash
The MHRA is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.