Major Health Recall Hits Zicam, Orajel Products
A major health recall has been issued for popular nasal and teething products after dangerous fungal contamination was discovered in cotton swab components. Church & Dwight Co., Inc., the New Jersey-based manufacturer, voluntarily recalled all lots of Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel Baby Teething Swabs due to microbial contamination that could cause serious, life-threatening blood infections.
The recall affects products distributed nationwide across the United States and Puerto Rico, with health officials warning that contaminated swabs pose the greatest risk to children and individuals with compromised immune systems. No illnesses have been reported to date, but authorities are urging consumers to immediately stop using the affected products and seek refunds.
Photo Source: MoneyReign
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Life-Threatening Contamination Discovered
The Food and Drug Administration announced the recall after fungi were identified in the cotton swab portions of the affected products. According to FDA safety alerts, swabs containing microbial contamination can present significant health risks, including serious and life-threatening blood infections in users whose nasal mucosa may be compromised due to inflammation and mechanical injuries.
The three specific products included in the recall are Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs (UPC 732216301205), Zicam Nasal AllClear Swabs (UPC 732216301656), and Orajel Baby Teething Swabs (UPC 310310400002). All lots of these products within their expiration dates are affected by the recall, while other Zicam and Orajel products, including Zicam RapidMelts, remain unaffected.
Highest Risk to Vulnerable Populations
Health authorities emphasize that the contamination poses the greatest danger to children and individuals with compromised immune systems or underlying medical conditions. The fungal contamination could lead to severe systemic infections when applied to sensitive mucous membranes in the nose or mouth, according to WRAL consumer safety reports.
Medical experts explain that nasal passages and oral mucosa provide direct pathways to the bloodstream, making fungal contamination particularly dangerous when applied to these areas. The recall specifically targets products designed for nasal and oral use, where contaminated cotton swabs could introduce harmful microorganisms directly into vulnerable tissue.
Nationwide Distribution and Consumer Response
The recalled products were distributed across all 50 states and Puerto Rico through major retailers and pharmacies. Church & Dwight has established a dedicated recall website at www.churchdwightrecall.com and consumer hotline at (800) 981-4710 to process refunds and answer questions about the contamination.
Consumer safety advocates are calling for immediate disposal of affected products rather than attempting to return them to stores, citing potential health risks from handling contaminated items. The company is offering full refunds to customers who purchased the recalled swabs, regardless of whether they have proof of purchase or original packaging.
Photo Source: MoneyReign
Manufacturing and Quality Control Failures
The contamination represents a significant quality control failure in Church & Dwight’s manufacturing process. NBC15 reports that the company discovered the fungal contamination during internal testing, prompting the voluntary recall before any serious adverse events were reported to health authorities.
Industry analysts note that the recall could prompt increased regulatory scrutiny of over-the-counter medical products, particularly those applied to sensitive mucous membranes. The incident highlights the importance of stringent quality control measures in manufacturing consumer healthcare products that come into direct contact with vulnerable body tissues.
Regulatory Response and Future Oversight
The FDA continues investigating the source of the contamination and reviewing Church & Dwight’s manufacturing processes to prevent similar incidents. Regulatory experts predict the recall could lead to enhanced oversight requirements for companies producing cotton swab-based medical products, including more frequent testing for microbial contamination.
The recall has prompted renewed calls for tighter oversight of over-the-counter medications and medical devices. Consumer protection advocates argue that products designed for nasal and oral application should face the same rigorous testing standards as prescription medications, given their potential to cause serious infections when contaminated. Church & Dwight, a Fortune 1000 company known for brands including Arm & Hammer and OxiClean, faces potential legal liability if health problems emerge from the contaminated products.
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