Urgent recall for cough syrup over risk of deadly food poisoning

A popular children’s cough syrup has been recalled in the US due to contamination with a bacteria that can cause food poisoning and even death.

Medtech Products Inc has recalled five lots of its Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup because it contains Bacillus cereus, which can lead to two types food-borne illnesses.

‘Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term illness, exposure to high levels of foodborne B. cereus can cause death,’ states the company’s announcement published by the nation’s agency protecting public health on Wednesday.

The affected cough syrup came in 4 fluid ounce amber bottles with outer cartons. The lot code is printed on the bottle label and at the bottom of the carton.

Lots under the recall were sold across the country and online from December 14, 2022, to June 4 of this year.

They have the UPC number 7-56184-10737-9. Lot 0039 has the expiration date of November 2024, lot 0545 has January 2026, lot 0540 has February 2026, lot 0450 has May 2026, and 1198 has December 2026.

Two types of food-borne illnesses can result from a Bacillus cereus infection, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

One type can cause stomach cramps, vomiting and nausea within one to six hours of consuming the contaminated product. The second type can lead to stomach cramps and diarrhoea eight to 16 hours after consumption.

There have not been reports of becoming seriously sick from the cough syrup.

Customers should immediately stop using the syrup and contact a doctor if they experience any health issues. They can return the medicine for a full refund. Customers with questions should contact Medtech, which is based in Tarrytown, New York.

It comes five days after Vita Warehouse Corp recalled one lot of its vitamin B12 gummies because they could contain an undeclared allergen. People with peanut allergies ‘run the potential risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products’, stated the FDA in an advisory.

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