It’s time to check the medical cabinet.
Several Zicam and Orajel nasal and baby teething swab products are being pulled from store shelves across the U.S. due to concerns about potential fungal contamination. Church & Dwight Co., Inc., the manufacturer of these products, discovered the issue during routine quality checks and reported it to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has since issued a warning to consumers.
The recall applies to all batches of the following items: Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel Baby Teething Swabs. The concern centers around the cotton tips of the swabs, which may be contaminated with fungi. The FDA clarified that other products from the Zicam and Orajel lines are unaffected and remain safe for consumer use.
Health experts caution that fungal exposure from these swabs could lead to infections, particularly among children, individuals with weakened immune systems, or those with existing health problems. In rare and severe instances, such contamination might result in dangerous bloodstream infections. While there have been no confirmed reports of illness so far, the recall is being implemented as a precautionary measure.
Consumers are urged to stop using any of the recalled products immediately and dispose of them properly. Anyone experiencing unusual symptoms after use should consult a healthcare provider. The FDA and Church & Dwight are continuing to investigate the matter and monitor for any developments.
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