Johnson & Johnson Expands Tylenol Recall, Again
McNeil Consumer Healthcare, one of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, is once again expanding its recall of over-the-counter medications associated with a musty smell that made some consumers sick.
In November 2009, McNeil recalled certain lots of 100ct Tylenol Arthritis Pain with EZ-Open Cap following consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty or mildew-like odor that caused gastrointestinal events including nausea, stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea.
McNeil expanded the recall in December of 2009 to include all lots of 100ct Tylenol Arthritis Pain with EZ-Open Cap.
An investigation by McNeil Consumer Healthcare determined that the musty smell was caused by the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA) resulting from the breakdown of a chemical used to treat build wood pallets that transport and store product packaging materials.
In January 2010, the drug maker expanded the recall again to include various Children’s Motrin, Children’s Tylenol, Benadryl, Extra Strength Tylenol, Motrin, Regular Strength Tylenol, Rolaids, Simply Sleep, St. Joseph Aspirin, Tylenol 8-hour, Tylenol Arthritis and Tylenol PM.
Last month, McNeil added lots of Benadryl Allergy Ultratab Tablets and Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release Gels because the company inadvertently omitted the products from the January recall list.
Today, the McNeil announced the company was once again expanding the recall to include 21 additional lots of Tylenol, Motrin and Benadryl products. Click here to see a list of the recalled product lot numbers. Consumers can find the product lot numbers for the recalled products on the side of the bottle label.
“These lots are being added to the list of recalled products as a precautionary measure after a continuing internal review determined that some packaging materials used in the lots had been shipped and stored on the same type of wooden pallet that was tied to the presence of TBA in earlier recalled lots,” McNeil said in a release
The New York Times reports that the drug company declined to reveal how many bottles of pills the recall involves.
Consumers who purchased product from the lots included in this recall should stop using the product and contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare at www.mcneilproductrecall.com or call 1-888-222-6036 for instructions on a refund or replacement. Consumers who have medical concerns or questions should contact their healthcare provider.
