Kao USA Warns Consumers Against Counterfeit Lotion - UPDATED INFORMATION

CINCINNATI, July 25, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kao USA Inc. is warning consumers about counterfeit lotion that has been sold in some retail locations. To date, the counterfeit product has been located only in the Northeastern United States. This counterfeit product is falsely labeled as Jergens Ultra Healing 10 oz. & 21 oz., and Jergens Original Scent 21oz. and Jergens® Soothing Aloe 10 oz. & 21 oz.

First and foremost, Kao USA cares about our consumers' safety.  Because counterfeit items labeled as "Jergens" are not Kao USA products and are not subjected to our rigorous quality control, we cannot guarantee the performance or safety of these counterfeit products. Without proper quality control to ensure the right formulation in each product, the counterfeit item may seriously put the safety and health of consumers at risk. While only a small number of counterfeit products has been identified by Kao USA's Consumer Care Center and Quality teams and while Kao has not received any report to date of adverse health effects or injury, consumers, particularly those with impaired immune systems, should be careful not to use the counterfeit lotion.  If you suspect your product is counterfeit please do not use it and contact Kao USA Consumer Care Center per the information below.

All Jergens products purchased by retailers directly from Kao USA are authentic, high quality and safe to use.  A notice is being sent to all Kao USA's retail customers in the USA alerting them to the presence of counterfeit goods in some markets and requesting them to remove counterfeit products purchased from unauthorized sources from their shelves and cooperate with us in our investigation to identify the source of the counterfeit product.

IDENTIFYING THE COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS

• The counterfeit manufacturer has replicated or removed the Lot Codes on the back of the package.
• Falsely labeled Jergens® 10 oz. Ultra Healing® (Lot Code X0G30055)
• [NEWLY IDENTIFIED]  Falsely labeled Jergens® 21 oz. Ultra Healing® (Missing Lot Code)
• Falsely labeled Jergens® 21 oz. Original Scent  (Lot Code X0G13154)
• Falsely labeled Jergens® 21 oz. Original Scent  (Missing Lot Code)
• [NEWLY IDENTIFIED]  Falsely labeled Jergens® 10 oz. Soothing Aloe  (Lot Code X0G30615)
• [NEWLY IDENTIFIED]  Falsely labeled Jergens® 21 oz. Soothing Aloe  (Lot Code X0G11144)
  
• In some cases the Lot Code Area is hidden with a False UPC Sticker
• Most noticeably, the discovered counterfeit product has a thin, watery consistency, unexpected or unpleasant texture, color or odor

If you have any of these lot codes on your products or suspect you may have purchased counterfeit product, please discontinue use, retain the product and contact the Kao USA Consumer Care Center at 1-800-742-8798 or [email protected]

For a visual identifier of where the lot code is located on the product and for future updates please visit, www.jergens.com/counterfeitfacts

"The safety of our consumers is, and always will be, the top priority at Kao USA," said Joe Workman, President, Kao Americas.  "We will be working diligently with our retail partners to identify the source of the fake products and to ensure only genuine Jergens products are sold in their stores."

Kao USA is working closely with authorities to fully investigate this matter and to stop the sale of counterfeit products.

Kao USA Inc. is a leading manufacturer of premium beauty care brands that are recognized around the world for their innovation and quality. Founded in 1882, Kao USA Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kao Corporation.

SOURCE Kao USA Inc.