The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are reminding the public not to use some non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products under any circumstance due to an ongoing risk of infection associated with their use.
This is because while the overall risk remains very low, four non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products have been linked to an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis.
It's important to remember all non-sterile alcohol-free wipes of any type or brand should not be used for first aid, applied on broken or damaged skin and should never be used for cleaning intravenous lines.
If you have diabetes, you can clean your skin with soap and water ensuring it is thoroughly dry before applying any insulin pump cannula, insulin pump pods and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensors or checking blood sugar levels with a finger-prick test.
Burkholderia stabilis is a bacteria found in natural environments and rarely causes infection in healthy people. The risk to the general population is very low. However, people who are immunocompromised or have other risk factors such as cystic fibrosis, are at higher risk of developing infection.
The following products have been found to be contaminated with Burkholderia. These four products should not be used under any circumstances:
- ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
- Microsafe Moist Wipe Alchohol Free
- Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
- Reliwipe Alchohol Free Cleansing Wipes (testing revealed contamination with a Burkholderia strain not related to an outbreak of cases between January 2018 and February 2026).
These products were withdrawn from sale in July 2025 however some may still remain in first aid kits and in people's homes. If you find any of the listed products in your home, including in first aid kits, stop using them immediately and dispose of them in your standard household waste.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said:
"Patient safety is the MHRA's top priority. The MHRA issued notices to sellers of specific products in July, resulting in their withdrawal from sale. If you have any wipes at home or work, double check they are labelled 'sterile' before using on broken skin. Follow the advice of your clinical team, GP or community nurse in the care of your intravenous line."
