FDA: Baby Cough Syrup Recalled Over Bacteria Contamination Risks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that a recall was issued for a brand of baby cough syrup sold by Dollar General stores across the United States.

The reason for the recall is that the product has the potential to be contaminated by a form of bacteria that could be deadly, according to a notice published on the health agency’s website.

Vomiting and diarrhea are the symptoms of the bacterial infection, but, according to the FDA, it could be fatal in serious cases.

The product is marked with Lot KL180157 Expiration date 11/20 on the bottom of the carton and has the UPC Code 8 54954 00250 0. (FDA)

Kingston Pharma of Massena, New York, is recalling 2-fluid ounce (59 mL) bottles of DG/health NATURALS baby Cough Syrup + Mucus, the FDA said.

According to the March 20 notice, the product was found to have the potential for contamination with Bacillus cereus and Bacillus circulans bacteria.

“Bacillus cereus in food products has the potential to produce two forms of gastrointestinal illness, one being a syndrome primarily of vomiting, and the other of diarrhea,” said the agency. “Most often, illnesses are mild and self-limiting, although more serious and even lethal cases have occurred.”

Infants, young children, and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

The FDA said that “no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem with the use of DG™/health NATURALS baby Cough Syrup + Mucus.” (FDA)

The FDA said that “no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem with the use of DG™/health NATURALS baby Cough Syrup + Mucus.”

It is marked with Lot KL180157 Expiration date 11/20 on the bottom of the carton and has the UPC Code 8 54954 00250 0.

The potential contamination risk was found after audit testing was carried out of the product.

“One in ten bottles showed low levels of Bacillus cereus and two in ten bottles showed low levels of Bacillus circulans,” the FDA said.

Customers exit a Dollar General store, in San Antonio. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

As of the publication of the notice, production of the cough syrup product was suspended. The FDA and Kingston Pharma are carrying out an investigation into the source of the issue.

Consumers who bought the cough syrup can return it to Dollar General for a refund.

390 Family Dollar Stores Closing

Earlier this month, it was announced by Dollar Tree that 390 Family Dollar stores will close across the United States, and another 200 or so will be rebranded as Dollar Tree.

A Family Dollar store (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

“We are confident we are taking the appropriate steps to reposition our Family Dollar brand,” Dollar Tree CEO Gary Philbin stated in a news release. “Approximately 200 Family Dollar stores will be re-bannered to Dollar Tree,” he added.

Dollar General is one of Dollar Tree’s and Family Dollar’s main competitors

Philbin said in the fourth quarter, “Sales for the quarter were strong.”

He added, “Our results demonstrate the increasing strength of the Dollar Tree brand, and accelerated progress on the Family Dollar turnaround, as Family Dollar delivered its strongest quarterly same-store sales growth of the year.”

“Our merchants at both banners have delivered a 2019 plan that we believe overcomes most of the effect of tariffs at the 25 percent level, and provides opportunity for margin improvements if tariffs are not increased,” Philbin said.

The company had 15,237 stores in 48 states and in five Canadian provinces as of Feb. 2, 2019, according to The Associated Press.