Urgent recall for Deep Heat as Aussie shoppers are warned ‘do not use it’
Australian health authorities have issued an urgent recall for a batch of Deep Heat Extra Strength cream, sold in major retailers including Coles, Woolworths and Chemist Warehouse, after tests found bacterial contamination. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced the recall on Monday, warning consumers who purchased affected stock not to use the product due to potential health risks.
The recall applies to two batches of the 100g cream, identified by batch codes V772 and V773, both with a June 2029 expiry date. Testing found higher than acceptable levels of the bacterium Pluralibacter gergoviae, which the TGA warned could cause serious infections, particularly in people with broken skin or weakened immune systems. Manufacturer Mentholatum Australasia has urged affected customers to return the product to the place of purchase or contact the company directly for assistance.
- Deep Heat Extra Strength cream recalled in Australia over bacterial contamination
- Affects batch codes V772 and V773, expiring June 2029
- Bacteria found could cause serious infections in vulnerable people
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Bacterial contamination has been found in some batches of Deep Heat Extra Strength cream, a popular over-the-counter product used to relieve muscle and joint pain, sold widely across Australia. It is made by Mentholatum Australasia and stocked in major chains including Coles, Woolworths and Chemist Warehouse, meaning many households could have the affected product in their bathroom cabinet.
The concern centres on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Australian government body responsible for regulating medicines and healthcare products, which monitors safety issues and can order recalls when a product fails to meet required standards. Contaminated topical creams matter because they are applied directly to skin, and if that skin is broken or the user has a weakened immune system, bacteria can enter the body and cause infection.
Product recalls of this kind are relatively routine in the health and consumer goods sector, acting as a safeguard rather than necessarily indicating widespread harm has occurred. They typically involve specific batches identified by codes and dates, rather than an entire product line, so understanding which items are affected is central to how consumers should respond.