These tattoo inks were contaminated with bacteria. FDA lays out dangerous health risks

Yahoo

08-05-2025

Before you get inked, make sure your ink is safe.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning tattoo artists and potential customers that two lots of black and yellow Sacred Tattoo Ink were contaminated with bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
"Tattoo inks contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms can cause infections and lead to serious health injuries when injected into the skin during a tattooing procedure," the FDA said in a release on May 7, "since there is an increased risk of infection any time the skin barrier is broken."
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most common bacteria that infects humans, can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract or other parts of the body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's commonly seen in people on ventilators, using catheters, or who have open wounds after surgery or burns. Some types are resistant to antibiotics, the CDC said.
Some tattoo infections can result in permanent scarring, the FDA said. The alert did not list any reports of injury from these items.
The Scroggins, Texas-based company alerted customers of the warning in a Facebook post.
"I guess it was our turn out of all the colors they tested only two colors were recalled so I think it's a great thing and those two batches were made in very small quantities," a representative from Sacred Tattoo Ink said.
Sacred Tattoo Ink, Raven Black; CI# 77266; Lot#: RB0624; Best Before: June 28 2027
Sacred Tattoo Ink, Sunny Daze; CI# 21095; Lot#: SD1124; Best Before: Nov 1 2027
Tattoo-ink-associated infections can create the appearance of rashes or lesions where it has been applied, the FDA said.
"Indications of an infection can be difficult to recognize as other conditions (e.g., allergic reactions) may initially have similar signs and symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments," the FDA said.
If you have adverse reactions from any tattoo, contact your medical health provider. If you believe you were affected by these inks, you can report it at the FDA's SmartHub.
Anyone heading in to get a tattoo should ask the artist or studio which inks they use, and avoid the two listed above. Artists and retailers are urged to avoid using or selling them.
According to a 2023 study, there were 15 voluntary tattoo ink recalls in the U.S. involving over 200 tattoo inks between 2003 and 2023. All but one were due to microbial contamination.
In August 2024, Sierra Stain recalled three water-based tattoo pigments that were contaminated with high concentrations of multiple microorganisms.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Sacred Tattoo inks could cause lesions,.scarring, FDA warns