Popular US remedy recalled over ‘life-threatening fungi’ with children most at risk

Nasal and baby teething swabs sold across the US have been recalled over fears of contamination with fungi.

Church & Dwight Co, Inc, announced on Friday it is recalling its Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam Nasal AllClear Swabs and Orajel Baby Teething Swabs on Friday ‘due to potential microbial contamination identified as fungi in cotton swab components’.

The swabs that are contaminated ‘can potentially present a significant risk to the health and safety of consumers including serious and life-threatening blood infections in users whose nasal mucosa may be compromised due to inflammation and mechanical injuries’, stated the announcement shared by the country’s agency protecting public health.

All lots of the three products are under the recall.

Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, designed to shorten the common cold, have the UPC number 732216301205. Zicam Nasal AllClear Swabs, meant for cleansing, were discontinued in December 2024 and have the UPC number 732216301656.

Orajel Baby Teething Swabs, designed to soothe discomfort from teething, have the UPC number 310310400002.

They were distributed nationwide and in Puerto Rico.

Customers should stop using the swabs immediately and contact the company for a full refund.

There have not been any reports of illness from the swabs, but any concerns should be flagged to the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

‘The risk is highest (potentially severe or life-threatening) among children and individuals with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions,’ stated the notice from the FDA.

Church & Dwight describes itself as a $4.9billion ‘leading manufacturer of consumer household and personal care products’ based in Ewing, New Jersey.

It comes a few months after Ascent Consumer Products Inc recalled a lot of its SinuCleanse Soft Tip Squeeze Bottle Nasal Wash System nationwide due to tests confirming microbial contamination with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). That bacteria can also cause users with nasal mucosa inflammation or injuries to have blood infections.

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