Oribe Recalls Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo Over Bacteria Contamination
Kao USA pulled select Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo bottles after FDA testing found Pluralibacter gergoviae bacteria. Here is which lot codes are affected and what shoppers should do.
Illustrative stock photo, not the featured product. Photo by Mockup Free / Unsplash · License
Oribe pulled select bottles of its Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo after testing turned up a preservative-resistant bacteria, according to a recall the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) listed in a June 29, 2026 enforcement report. The manufacturer, Kao USA, initiated the recall on June 9, 2026.
What the FDA found
The FDA enforcement report lists the reason for the recall as microbial contamination from Pluralibacter gergoviae. This species resists many of the preservatives that cosmetics brands rely on to keep liquid formulas shelf-stable. The Healthy reported on June 30, 2026 that the bacteria can cause infection in people with weakened immune systems or broken skin, including scalps affected by conditions such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis.
The FDA classified the recall as Class II. That designation covers products where use might cause temporary or reversible health effects, or where the chance of serious harm is remote, per the same enforcement report.
Which bottles are affected
The recall covers two sizes of Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo, according to the FDA enforcement report:
- 8.5 fl. oz. (250 mL) bottles, UPC 840035231242, lot code YR010556
- 33.8 fl. oz. (1 L) bottles, UPC 840035231273, lot codes YR010566 and YR010576
The lot code sits on the bottom of the bottle. The FDA record lists 828 individual units as affected, shipped to 37 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada. Kao USA initiated the recall voluntarily rather than under an FDA mandate.
What to do if you have one
If a bottle’s UPC and lot code match the recall, stop using it. Neither the FDA report nor The Healthy lists a formal refund process from Kao USA, since the company has not issued a public press release for this recall, according to the FDA record. Shoppers who bought the product through a retailer such as Walmart or Amazon can typically start a return through that retailer’s own recall or customer service process, and salons that carry Oribe professionally can check lot codes against their current stock.
Why the count is small but the reach is wide
Eight hundred twenty eight units sounds narrow next to a distribution footprint of 37 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada. That combination usually points to a single contaminated manufacturing lot shipped in small batches to many regional distributors and salons, rather than one concentrated retail run. It is why the FDA record ties the recall to specific lot codes instead of the whole product line.
What is not confirmed yet
Kao USA has not issued a public statement explaining how the contamination reached the production line, and the FDA record does not list any injuries tied to the affected units. Oribe’s other shampoo lines, and other lots of Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo outside the listed codes, are not part of this recall.