HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) is alerting residents to a nationwide recall issued by Church & Dwight Co., Inc. The recall affects Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs due to potential microbial contamination in their cotton swab components.
These recalled products were distributed across the nation, including supermarkets and drug stores throughout Hawaiʻi. Consumers are advised to check their products for the following UPCs:
- Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs: UPC 732216301205 (All Lots)
- Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs: UPC 732216301656 (All Lots)
- Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs: UPC 310310400002 (All Lots)
This recall is specifically limited to these Zicam® and Orajel™ swab products; no other products from these brands are affected. The FDB is actively working with local stores to ensure these recalled items are removed from sale.
The presence of microbial contamination in these swabs poses a significant health risk to consumers. Potential dangers include serious and life-threatening blood infections, particularly for users whose nasal mucosa may be compromised due to inflammation or injury. The risk is especially severe for children and individuals with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions. Symptoms of such an infection may include fever, nasal congestion, headache, one-sided facial swelling, and/or face pain.
The DOH urges consumers to immediately contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual issues or symptoms after recently using any of the recalled products.
To date, there have been no reports of illness or adverse events attributed to these recalled products. Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled items should stop using them immediately. For a full refund or additional information, contact Church & Dwight Co., Inc. by calling their Consumer Relations team at 800-981-4710 (Monday through Friday from 3-11 a.m. HST) or visit their website for online refund information.