The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned people who might be thinking of getting a tattoo in Florida that a number of Florida tattoo shops are using tattoo inks that have the microbial contamination.

It has been learnt from the investigation that Mycobacterium chelonae was present in a group of inks from A Thousand Virgins with a lot number of 129. The investigators also found certain strains of molds. The ink in question is three shades of gray: G1, G2 and G3. The bottles containing those inks have January 2016 mentioned as expiry date.

The FDA responded to requests of health authorities from the state provide additional support. Complaints have been received by them for bacterial infection among recently tattooed consumers.

The department then decided to go ahead with the testing of unopened samples of bottles including those of A Thousands Virgins. It helped confirm the presence of Mycobacterium chelonae, a human pathogen, and molds such as Penicillium genus. However, the investigation did not prove that these products are attributable for the reported cases.

The pathogens are well capable of making their way into the body by breaking in the skin, which is the result of tattoo session. Once they manage to enter, it becomes very easy for them to travel to different parts of the body through the blood stream.

Those who currently own the ink have been urged by the FDA and Florida health department to dispose it properly. A recall has already been issued by a Thousand Virgins for the contaminated products.