Sparta, New Jersey, September 19, 2025
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently published an agency announcement warning consumers, tattoo artists, and retailers of two tattoo inks offered by a company that are contaminated with bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The FDA became aware of the contaminated tattoo inks through its routine surveys of marketed tattoo inks, and subsequent microbiological analysis of sampled tattoo inks.
According to the agency:
Tattoo inks contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms can cause infections and lead to serious health injuries when injected into the skin during a tattooing procedure, since there is an increased risk of infection any time the skin barrier is broken.
Consumers are advised to be on the lookout for symptoms of tattoo-ink-associated infections. These can include the appearance of rashes or lesions consisting of red papules in areas where the contaminated ink has been applied. The FDA cautions that some tattoo infections can result in permanent scarring.
Dedicated to helping companies prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers are the scientists at MPL Laboratories. Their facility is fully equipped and accredited to provide testing for a broad spectrum of microbes and other contaminants that could be present in a variety of goods and products. All testing takes place at MPL’s FDA registered and cGMP, ISO 17025 compliant laboratory. These services not only protect the public from exposure risks, they are also vital for avoiding costly product recalls, damaging public relations, and the potential legal fees that companies that manufacture, import, or distribute contaminated products may encounter.
To learn more about microbial, sterility, or other testing services provided by MPL Laboratories, please visit www.MPLLaboratories.com, call (800) 548-1874, or email info@MPLLaboratories.com.
About MPL Laboratories
MPL Laboratories (formerly Marypaul Laboratories) was founded in 1985 as a full service microbiology laboratory. It is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited by PJLA, FDA, and DEA registered. MPL’s staff includes a Ph.D. Diplomat of the American Board of Toxicology, M.S. and B.S. degreed microbiologists, along with other dedicated scientific personnel. The microbiology testing laboratory serves the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care product industries. MPL strives to provide its clients with reliable, defensible test data delivered in a timely manner. The laboratory is part of the EMSL Analytical network of laboratories across the United States and Canada.
