The Food and Drug Administration is warning tattoo artists and their clients of issues with two specific colors of ink that may cause infections. In an announcement made Wednesday, the FDA says testing done by the agency found two types of tattoo ink are contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The warning advises tattoo artists, customers, and retailers of tattoo ink not to use or sell:
- 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
The FDA says inks that are contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms can cause “infections and lead to serious health injuries when injected into the skin during a tattooing procedure,” a portion of the announcement reads.
Common symptoms of tattoo-ink-associated infections include rashes or lesions, which appear as red papules in areas where the ink was applied. In some cases, the infections can lead to permanent scarring.
The FDA’s warning did not include a recall of the products and did not mention any confirmed cases of the ink causing infections. The agency says it became aware of the issue through routine testing. The advisory did not indicate where the ink has been distributed.
Anyone considering a tattoo should ask their artist if they’re using the ink and tattoo artists are advised not to use the ink. The FDA is working with retailers to remove the inks from shelves.
