Dollarama takes two products off shelves

• Tweet

TORONTO, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Dollarama in Canada removed two products from its stores after tests showed unacceptable levels of bacteria in cosmetic wipes and baby wipes, officials say.

The tests by CBC News revealed Merida Cleansing Wipes -- commonly used by women to wipe eyes and mouth to remove mascara and lipstick -- purchased from a Dollarama store in Winnipeg contained Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause skin infections.

Toronto dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll told CBC News Staphylococcus aureus infections can lead to impetigo, boils and folliculitis, while severe cases can cause blood infections. Although people with healthy skin are not at great risk, but people with eczema or broken skin can get infected, Carroll said.

Huggies Pure baby wipes, another brand purchased at Dollarama, have a bacteria count of 400, the tests showed. Health Canada's bacteria count limit for baby products is 100.

The bacteria include Staphylococcus hominis, which can cause infection for those with a compromised immune system.

Carroll said there should be a recall of both products and a warning sent to parents.

Officials with Dollarama told CBC News they were temporarily removing the products from shelves as a precautionary measure, as the company investigates.

However, Huggies manufacturer Kimberly-Clark told CBC News the wipes conformed to quality standards and did not have elevated levels of bacteria when they left the factory in the United Kingdom.

"The concern that causes for us is when we ship and store products, we are very conscious of the environmental conditions, the heat, the moisture, how it's stored, how it's handled, to make sure we do nothing to expose it to environmental concerns that might spur the growth of bacteria," Bob Brand, Kimberly-Clark spokesman, told CBC News.