McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., is recalling five product lots as an addition to the list of products included in the company’s January 15th, 2010 product recall. The additional lots involved are four product lots of Benadryl Allergy Ultratab tablets, 100 count, sold in the US; and one product lot of Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release Gels, 50 count sold in the US, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. This recall is a follow-up to the product recall that McNeil Consumer Healthcare announced on January 15th, 2010 and is being taken because the products were inadvertently omitted from the initial recall action. McNeil Consumer Healthcare identified the omission and informed the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of its decision to add these product lots to the recall list. All these products were produced before the January 15th, 2010 recall. Since January, McNeil Consumer Healthcare has continued to analyze and evaluate 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA) and has shared that information with the FDA. This further analysis confirms that the risk of serious adverse medical events is remote. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the FDA.
Benadryl Allergy Ultratab tablets is sold over-the-counter and is indicated for the relief of allergy associated symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, and itchy and watery eyes. Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release Gels is sold over-the-counter and is indicated for the temporary reduction of fever and for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains due to headache, muscular aches, backache, minor arthritis pain, the common cold, toothache, pre-menstrual and menstrual cramps, and flu.
The January 15th, 2010 recall was initiated as a result of consumer complaints of a musty or moldy odor that has since been linked to the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the source of TBA was the result of a breakdown of a chemical that is applied to wood used to build wooden pallets that transport and store product packaging materials.
According to a company press release, consumers who purchased product from the lots included in this recall should stop using the product and contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare for instructions on a refund or replacement.