Fabuloso Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Infection Risk from Contaminated Cleaning Products

As a result of the Fabuloso infection risk, class action lawsuit seeks more than $5 million for consumers who paid a premium price for the recalled cleaning products

February 15, 2023

Russell Maas

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Following a recall of nearly five million bottles of scented cleaning products which may be contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, a Fabuloso class action lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturers, seeking damages for all consumers who were deceived about the safety of the products and exposed themselves to a serious infection risk.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Elizabeth Dixon in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina on February 10, seeking class action status to represent potentially millions of consumers who paid a premium for products that contained a potentially life threatening bacteria. The lawsuit names Colgate-Palmolive (America) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Holding Inc., Colgate-Palmolive International LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Investments Inc., and Gaba Holdings Delaware LLC, as defendants.

Fabuloso Cleaner Recall

The lawsuit comes only a few days after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a Fabuloso recall on February 8, impacting approximately 4.9 million bottles of the following scented cleaning products and bottles sizes;

Fabuloso Original Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Lavender Scent, 22 FL OZ
Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner 2X Concentrated Formula, Lavender Scent, 56 FL OZ, 128 FL OZ, 169 FL OZ
Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Lavender Scent, 210 FL OZ
Fabuloso Professional All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser, Lavender Scent, 1 GALLON
Fabuloso Original Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Refreshing Lemon Scent, 22 FL OZ
Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner 2X Concentrated Formula, Refreshing Lemon Scent, 33.8 FL OZ, 56 FL OZ, 128 FL OZ and 169 FL OZ
Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner 2X Concentrated Formula, Passion of Fruits Scent, 33.8 FL OZ, 56 FL OZ, 128 FL OZ and 169 FL OZ
Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner Bleach Alternative 2X Concentrated Formula, Spring Fresh Scent, 56 FL OZ
Fabuloso Professional All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser, Ocean Scent, 1 GALLON

The cleaners were found to be contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is an environmental organisms found widely in soil and water. While it is not dangerous to most healthy individuals, it is difficult to treat because the bacteria is resistant to most antibiotics and has been found to be a predominant cause of lung infection among people with cystic fibrosis.

Fabuloso Infection Risk

In the lawsuit, Dixon claims the manufacturers improperly, deceptively, and misleadingly labeled and marketed the Fabuloso products to consumers, leaving them at risk of contracting infections.

Dixon argues consumers largely rely on the product packaging and labeling to make informed decision. She claims that nothing offered to customers would have implied the products could contain bacteria, or that they were not adequately tested for bacteria before being sold.

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The lawsuit further states that Dixon, and many other consumers like herself, have lost the benefit of their bargain when they paid a premium price for a contaminated cleaning product. Dixon states she would not have been willing to purchase Fabuloso cleaners, or would have paid significantly less for it, had the risks been disclosed.

As a result of the manufacturers alleged failures, the lawsuits brings claims of negligence, unjust enrichment, negligent misrepresentation and omissions, failure to warn, and others, claiming the amount of legal liability exceeds $5,000,000.

Dixon is also requesting the court to issue an order that would require Defendants to stop selling the products until action has been taken to correct their advertising materials.

Written by: Russell Maas

Managing Editor & Senior Legal Journalist

Russell Maas is a paralegal and the Managing Editor of AboutLawsuits.com, where he has reported on mass tort litigation, medical recalls, and consumer safety issues since 2010. He brings legal experience from one of the nation’s leading personal injury law firms and oversees the site’s editorial strategy, including SEO and content development.

17 Comments

Nancy

January 27, 2025

My mother and father were using Fabuloso to clean their home, then in September my father became very sick and collapsed in the bathroom. They rushed him to the hospital and found that he had a bacteria attacking his body and shutting down his organs. He died within the week. I believe this cleaner is the culprit for this bacteria.

Debra

January 27, 2024

I have a cleaning business & every time I use the fabulouso, I become short of breath with a sick stomach & headache.

Nita

November 25, 2023

Received a call from Infectious disease about a bacteria in my lungs and the only cleaner I use mainly is fabuloso

Daphne

November 19, 2023

I have rheumatoid arthritis and I was using fabuloso. After every use my pain would start. The aching fingers and hands was excruciating.

Randi

November 19, 2023

I bought and used fabuloso and it caused my hands to peel and they would itch so bad so I stopped using it and when I realized that maybe it was too strong I used it to clean my bathrooms tub and my toilets and mopped my floors

Lovie

November 18, 2023

I poured some in commode, the smell caused me shortness of breath,started uncontrollable coughing.

Amy

April 26, 2023

Last year, in 2022, I worked at a local restaurant in my town that used nothing but Fabuloso to clean the tables and mop the floors. We used no gloves to use the solvent every night with towels and hot water. After four years of continually using the product, one day I noticed my right hand was deformed (looks like I have rheumatoid arthritis). My right hand is my dominant cleaning hand. My left hand is not affected. Now here it is, 7 months later and at a new job, and my hand is still slightly disabled. I have no grip and cannot grip around a glass or open anything without thought, as easy as opening the paper off a bandaid. Also, my three middle fingers are intermittently numb.

Ray

April 6, 2023

My horrific experience with Fabuloso. I drove to work and entered the building of my workplace with no problems,( I work 9pm- 9am ). Once I reached the actual condominium that I work in, I walked inside, and immediately got sick to my stomach, and turned red in the face. My co-worker asked, why are you so red in your face. I stated, the smell of the Fabuloso is making me sick. As my shift continues, around 3 am, I got up to use the bathroom, and that’s the last thing I remember. Next, I heard someone calling my name. I answered, wondering where I’m I. I was in a state of confusion. How was on the floor in water. I raised my head, and realized I was on the bathroom floor not in water, but my urine. I was wet all over in my urine. I fought to get up, because it was a struggle for whatever reason/ reasons. I was sweating profusely and very, very weak. I couldn’t breathe. Wondering if I had a heart attack, a stroke or did I have Covid. I was so puzzled and my mind was all over the place in terror. Afraid of what was happening to me. I need to stop. Remembering is too painful. My heart is pounding fast, and tears are falling down my face. It’s just too much to talk about. Concluding, I ended up in the hospital with Blood Clots on both sides of my lungs, and a bacteria infection. Now, I see a Blood Specialist, and I’m scheduled to see a Lung Specialist, and a Heart Specialist. The Blood Clots were so big, and so many until they were leaning on my heart and my have damaged my heart. Breathing is still hard.

Yadira

March 26, 2023

I’m a home-maker and I have been using fabulous for a long time. On January I went to the doctor for pneumonia then I’ve been developing chest pain ride side. I did a research I thought it was due to stress. Well, I stopped my job as a home maker, the ride Chest pain disappeared as soon as I stopped using fabuloso. I’m now working in another field.

Pamela

March 23, 2023

Sadly, both myself and my five year old grand daughter were made very ill by the use of this Fabuloso product. We suffered with this pneumonia. We were both terribly sick but when I began coughing up blood clots from my lungs the size of which were as terrifying as the blood itself I knew I was in trouble.

Francesca

March 10, 2023

I’ve never had allergies nor my kids however this month all of us thought we had COVID and we’re rested because our eyes have been swollen and we can’t stop sneezing. My oldest son has been affected the most. Two days ago I had him do labs to see if he is allergic to anything ! I have a cleaning person everyday that uses Fabuloso on my 4,000 square foot house ! He mentioned he had to get a different brand to clean and that fabuloso was removed off the shelves. I looked into this and now I’m almost certain this is why we’re all sick!!!

Beatrice

February 28, 2023

I was Contaminated with the bacteria from Fabuloso solution. I was positive with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Jessica

February 23, 2023

I had bought a few bottles like I do every month for over five years and I can’t believe that a brand I trusted that’s suppose to get rid of bacteria is actually the cause of bacteria.my breathing had been horrible since I’ve used fabulousa this month and rashes on my arm and neck but I’m more upset about my dog he’s been having seizures due to this product I believe we will go to docs to clarify it wish everyone the best

Jaime

February 23, 2023

In the beginning of February one weekend I was home cleaning during the day and by night my wife complains about headaches and she says she is going to lay down. She comes to me about 2hrs later and tells me she wants to go to the ER because her blood pressure is rising and she is not feeling well and having chest pains. She goes to the ER and gets released from the ER hours later. The following day I was having similar issues. Feeling very weird. Neck swelling , chest pains on the right side of chest. Chest pains when lifting. Dizziness feeling ,chest cold feeling and headaches and slight cough. Concerned and especially after what my wife went through I immediately made a appointment with my doctor. I was notified by employees at work about the Fabuloso recall. Looking into it. I realized I had a bottle at work and at home that was on the recall list. I purchased the bottles at home depot and verified with receipts. I must of cleaned over 50,000 sqft. My wife and I are ok today but the symptoms we experienced we have never felt before.

Shelby

February 21, 2023

I bought 3 different scents of fabuloso to try for the first time about 3 weeks ago. Within days I developed a rash on my hands and arms followed by a cough and fever . I had just started a new job as a registered dental hygienist and didn’t feel good so called into work . Still unaware it was related to the cleaner my rash worsened and even my two dogs started acting anxious and sneezing and gnawing at their paws . A week after initial use I could no longer stand the itching and went to the doctor ( emergency room ) where they recommended I not go back to work for the remainder of the day and we discussed the possibility of the fabuloso so I discontinued use . I presented my new employer with the doctor excuse and explained the findings of the recall but I was fired the next day for my missed work and she acted as if she didn’t believe that there was in fact a recall . I hope all patients I treated for the week didn’t go home itchy but now I’m out of work ! It’s been a terrible and unfortunate turn of events and I feel super unlucky all due to getting a head start on spring cleaning 🙁

Patricia

February 19, 2023

I suffered with my hands for months was red like burned and hurt with wrapped open skin went to family Dr he couldn’t figure out. Just used all kinds of skin creams nothing helped.I own a restaurant couldn’t even do my cooking because of my hands so went to a skin specialist she thought mybe psoriasis so she did a biopsy of it and came back no that it was a allergic reaction severe one. So I tried an tryed to think what it was I used or ate. Well the only thing I thought of was this Fabuloso I stpeed using it and with then a couple weeks it was gone ..all this pain and money for creams an loss of work and Drs bills later. 😪.

Chanel

February 16, 2023

I would have never thought that this product would be in the headlines! This is a go too product everyone uses especially for the aroma! I have 3 bottles I purchased from family dollar I coupon there and I always get a coupon for this product! Well I’ll have to dispose them since they are in the headlines and I can’t afford to get sick behind it!

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