Soap is supposed to keep your hands clean, but that's not the case for one brand of popular foaming hand soaps.

St Louis-based Intercon Chemical Co initiated an initial recall in June for more than 2,600 cases of their hand soap, and on September 11 the FDA designated it a higher risk recall. 

The FDA has warned of bacterial contamination risk in six types of hand soaps sold across 15 states. 

The products were distributed in California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

Although some soaps were sold to wholesalers, others were sold to individual consumers at local stores like Ingles Markets in Asheville. 

The FDA designated it a Class II recall, meaning using the soap could cause temporary health problems, but the risk of serious side effects is considerably low. 

More information is available on the FDA website. 

Two of the recalled products are potentially contaminated with several types of bacteria, including pseudomonas aeruginosa, pseudomonas putida, pseudomonas monteilii, serratia marcescens and serratia nematodiphila. 

The other four products are also being recalled over potential bacterial contamination, although specific organisms were not identified in the available recall information.

The recalled products include Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe and Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe.

Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap is also included in the recall, as is Vestis Foaming Hand Soap with Fresh Pear Scent, Laura Lynn Honey Apple Crisp Liquid Hand Soap and Laura Lynn Foaming Pear Scent Hand Soap with Moisturizers.

Buyers should check the product name, size, UPC and lot information and stop using the product if it matches the recalled soaps. 

The recall is particularly unique because many of the soaps were distributed through wholesalers - so consumers may interact with the products in workplaces and public bathrooms instead of having purchased them directly from a store.

As a result, consumers are being told to check soap dispensers at home, work and other locations for the affected brands rather than assuming a product is safe simply because it was purchased a while ago. 

The bacteria named in the recall, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens, can cause infections in some instances. 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been associated with infections including pneumonia, urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections, while Serratia marcescens can cause infections affecting the bloodstream, respiratory system and urinary tract.

People with weakened immune systems can be particularly vulnerable to these infections. 

The FDA's Class II designation does not mean that everyone who comes into contact with an affected product will become ill. 

The classification refers to the potential health consequences associated with use or exposure to the recalled products.

Anyone who thinks they experienced an illness or reaction after using the soaps should see a doctor. 

This is just the latest in a long string of product recalls, including September's warning about pet products. 

Vet Plus Inc, which sells the products under the Fi brand, recalled two supplements for dogs because of a potentially contaminated ingredient supplied to the company's manufacturer.