The following tattoo inks have been recalled in the USA for safety and contamination with microorganisms:
DYNAMIC COLOR – BLACK
SOLID INK – DIABLO RED, ORANGE, (dba Color Art, Inc., dba Antone’s Ink)
Dynamic Ink Black Recalled for Contamination 
Solid Ink Diablo Red Recalled for Contamination
Voluntary Tattoo Ink Recalls From the US FDA
“Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts“
Eternal Ink: True Blue, Dark Red
Eternal Ink: True Blue Recalled 
Eternal Ink: Dark Red Recalled
September 25, 2018: “Eternal Ink Inc. is voluntarily recalling Eternal Ink Tattoo Ink, True Blue Ink due to potential microbial contamination.
Codes: Eternal Ink Tattoo Ink, 2 fl. oz./60 mL, Blue Ink, Lot #352, Manufactured 12/18/2017; Exp. Date: 12/18/20
Contact: Eternal Ink Inc., 7987 Lochlin Dr., Brighton, MI 48116-8329
“…Dark Red Ink due to potential microbial contamination.
Codes: Eternal Ink Tattoo Ink, 2 fl. oz./60 mL, Red Ink, Lot #352, Manufactured 12/18/2017, Exp. Date: 12/18/20
Contact: Eternal Ink Inc., 7987 Lochlin Dr., Brighton, MI 48116-8329″
Solid Ink: Orange
May 15, 2018: Solid Ink has recalled Solid Ink Orange (tattoo ink) (Batch #8297) which resulted positive for Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus licheniformis, and Pseudomonas sp.
Codes: Solid Ink Orange (tattoo ink) (Batch #8297), EXP DATE 8/21
Contact: Solid Ink, 16600 NE 54th Ave #6, Miami Gardens, FL 33014
Intenze: Bright Red & Royal Blue
Intenze: Bright Red Recalled for Microbial Organisms 
Intenze: Royal Blue Recalled for Microbial Organisms
“June 26, 2018 Description: Intenze Products has initiated a recall of tattoo inks because of microbial organisms (bacillus halosaccharovorans, brachybacterium conglomeratum, and pseudomonas andersonii and pseudomonas balearica) in the inks.
Codes: Intenze Bright Red Tattoo Ink (Lot SS264), 2 OZ Class II Lot SS264 Bright Red (Lot SS264) and Royal Blue (Lot SS258)
Contact: Intenze Products, 215 Nl-17, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662″
Radiant Colors: Lining Black
December 12, 2017. Description: Radiant Colors Inc. recalled Radiant Colors Victor Portugal Lining Black since it was found to contain Bacillus altitudinis.
Codes: 1 oz. plastic bottlevLot 003, Exp. 0918
Contact: Radiant Colors, Inc., 7365 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046-7526
Fusion Ink: Royal Blue, Light Blue, Pretty Purple, Gamma Green, & Orange.
Fusion Ink: Royal Blue, Light Blue, & Pretty Purple FDA Recall 
“November 14, 2017. Description: Fusion Ink, LLC recalled Royal Blue Glycerin Tattoo Ink packaged in 1oz, 2oz, 4oz, 8oz bottles due to Microbial contamination of tattoo ink.
Codes: Best by 04/10/2020
“Description: Fusion Ink, LLC recalled Light Blue tattoo ink packaged in 1oz, 2oz, 4oz, 8oz bottles due to Microbial contamination of tattoo ink.
Codes: Best by 07/11/2020
“Description: Fusion Ink, LLC recalled Pretty purple tattoo ink packaged in 1oz, 2oz, 4oz, 8oz bottles due to Microbial contamination of tattoo ink.
Codes: 1oz, 2oz, 4oz, 8oz bottles-Best by 07/11/2020
“Description: Fusion Ink, LLC recalled Gamma Green tattoo ink packaged in 1oz, 2oz, 4oz, 8oz bottles due to Microbial contamination of tattoo ink.
Codes: 1oz, 2oz, 4oz, 8oz bottles- Best by 07/13/2020
“Description: Fusion Ink, LLC recalled Orange color tattoo ink packaged in 1oz, 2oz, 4oz, 8oz bottles due to microbial contamination of tattoo ink.
Codes: Ink packaged in 1oz, 2oz, 4oz, 8oz bottles- Best by 04/10/2020
Contact: Fusion Ink, LLC – Texas, 1012 W Broadway St., Winnsboro, TX 75494-2004″
“Adverse reactions to tattoo inks without preservatives
• ‘Starbrite Colors‘ website bragged that no preservatives or other additives were used in their tattoo inks
• Claims included
– The inks are made with sterilized distilled water
– The ink is not an alcohol-based tattoo ink”
“Starbrite Ink microbial contamination
• 2004: Belgium withdrew “Starbrite Colors” tattoo ink from market because of microbial contamination
• FDA analyses found bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and mold (Acremonium)
• Resulted in manufacturer recall of Starbrite ink
• Starbrite ink became contaminated because the manufacturer removed the alcohol preservative from their ink formula”
“More microbial contamination of tattoo inks
• In 2011 there were several outbreaks in the U.S. possibly linked to bottled tattoo ink
• Non-tubercular mycobacterium (NTM) was isolated from bottled ink
• Other pathogens have been isolated
• New England Journal of Medicine article
– Kennedy, BS, Bedard B, Younge M, et al. Outbreak of Mycobacteriumchelonae Infection Associated with Tattoo Ink. N ENGL J MED 2012; 367:1020-1024 September 13, 2012″
“Contamination sources
• NTM is commonly found in public water supplies
• Cannot be removed by filtration
• Spores can only be destroyed by sterilization
– Problem: sterilization may affect pigments
• NTM and other pathogens may be introduced by the user
– Diluting with water, pouring back unused ink, storing open containers”
“March 23, 2005 – Product Tattoo Ink: Starbrite brand Black Magic Color, packaged in individual 1.”
Sources: USA Food and Drug Administration
“Product
“The following tattoo inks have been voluntarily recalled because they are contaminated with microorganisms:
- Scalpaink SC, Scalpaink PA, and Scalpaink AL basic black tattoo inks manufactured by Scalp Aesthetics (all lots distributed from 8/6/2018 through 10/1/2018) – Recall Completion Date 5/17/2019
- Dynamic Color – Black tattoo ink manufactured by Dynamic Color Inc (lots 12024090 and 12026090)
- Solid Ink – Diablo (red) tattoo ink manufactured by Color Art Inc. (dba Solid Ink) (dba Antone’s Ink) (lot 10.19.18)
“Content current as of: 08/24/2020”
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-recalls-alerts/fda-advises-consumers-tattoo-artists-and-retailers-avoid-using-or-selling-certain-tattoo-inks?fbclid=IwAR0-IdPhx_oHUnLA4MPs8aEybzgF8_S9hOeHu3Zevuj5Std5ZReyD1D77q8
“Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts
Content current as of: 01/04/2022″
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
USA FDA “Tattoo Pigments: Regulation, Chemistry, Photostability, and Potential Complications in the Human Body” by: Kathleen Lewis, Senior Advisor, Office of Cosmetics & Colors, Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, US FDA. (pp. 23-28)
https://www.afdo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tattoo-Pigments-clean.pdf
