Thaindian News

July 9, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): New Brunswick-based Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary company McNeil Consumer Healthcare has expanded the recall of its products including more brands such as Tylenol, Benadryl and Motrin. These products are made in the Pennsylvania plant of the company.

The news of expanded recall was confirmed by the Johnson & Johnson executive Colleen Goggins before a Congressional subcommittee. Colleen supervises the McNeil Consumer Healthcare.

He informed that the company is going to recall another 21 lots of over-the-counter medicines, which includes extra strength Benadryl, Tylenol and Motrin. These were mainly sold in the US, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and some parts of the Caribbean.

McNeil made its first recall in January following the complaints of the consumers. A musty or moldy odor was emanating from the products. The reason behind this odor was the existence of small amounts of a chemical called 2, 4, 6-tribromoanisole or TBA. This is again due to the wood pallets being used to transport the medicines.

However, the company has clarified in a press release yesterday that there is no risk of serious adverse medical events. As per the published reports, this tiny amount can only cause non-serious gastrointestinal upset, which is also temporary.

McNeil has informed that the odor has sickened around 70 people. The company has requested the consumers to replace or take refund of such products. They have also asked the consumers to stop using these listed products.

However, this latest recall is the eighth one, which may worsen the reaction of the consumers. This huge recall by McNeil is costing the company almost tens of millions of dollars per month.

The company added that most of the products are recalled only as a precautionary measure. It came as a huge blow to the company which had maintained a high standard throughout.