Cumberland County tattoo parlors on alert after FDA ink recalls

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Food and Drug Administration recalled several types of ink because of possible bacteria contamination.

Cumberland County health officials are taking the recall seriously and have issued a health alert to all tattoo parlors countywide.

There is particular concern in Cumberland County given the large military population and the connection between service members and tattooing.

"Anyone that subjects themselves to being tattooed ... when that barrier is broken, you're liable to experience infection anyway. But with this ink, it increases your chance of infection," said Cumberland County Environmental Health Director Adrian Jones.

Cumberland County health officials have alerted all 40 tattoo parlors throughout the county that this could lead to serious health conditions.

They told ABC11 that they found about three parlors using the contaminated ink.

It's since been removed from the shelves and there are no reports of consumer contamination.