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Story summary
- The FDA detected bacterial contamination in one-third of 259 unopened tattoo and permanent-makeup ink jars.
- Overall, 35.4 % of inks tested positive—30.5 % of 118 sterile-labeled samples and 35.5 % of non-sterile samples.
- Researchers found over 250 isolates from 94 species, including 34 potential human pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus and Cutibacterium acnes.
- FDA microbiologist Ohgew Kweon said the results require ongoing surveillance, validated sterilization and stronger manufacturing quality-control.
