The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers, tattoo artists, and retailers to immediately stop using or selling specific Sacred Tattoo Ink products after laboratory testing revealed contamination with potentially harmful bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The affected products include:
- 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: November 1, 2027
Use of contaminated tattoo inks can result in serious infections, particularly because the tattooing process breaks the skin barrier, creating an opportunity for harmful pathogens to enter the body. Symptoms of infection may include rashes, red papules, lesions at the tattoo site, and in some cases, permanent scarring. Infections can be mistaken for allergic reactions, which may lead to incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
The contamination was identified through routine FDA surveillance and microbiological analysis, using standard protocols outlined in the FDA’s Bacteriological Analytical Manual for cosmetics.
What You Should Do
Consumers:
- Avoid receiving tattoos that use the listed Sacred Tattoo Ink products.
- Ask your tattoo artist about the inks they use and confirm they are not using the contaminated lots.
Tattoo Artists and Retailers:
- Immediately stop using and selling the affected inks.
- Remove all identified contaminated products from your inventory.
The FDA continues to monitor the situation and is working closely with industry partners to remove affected products from the market.
Reporting Health Issues
If you or your clients experience an adverse reaction after receiving a tattoo, report the incident through the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting system, accessible via the FDA SmartHub.
For more information and updates, visit: www.fda.gov
