Tag: Zicam

In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public warning regarding zinc-based intranasal Zicam products after receiving over 130 reports of permanent loss of smell. These products were recalled, but the question remains: Can Zicam stop a cold? The answer depends on the product and timing, and involves a mix of scientific evidence, safety warnings, and homeopathic claims.

Millions of dollars are spent annually on remedies for the common cold, with many people seeking products that can shorten their illness rather than just masking symptoms. Among the most recognizable brands is Zicam, which promises to do just that, but the central question remains: Does Zicam really work?.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regularly issue recalls to protect consumers from potentially unsafe products. This leads many to ask what cold medicine was recalled recently, particularly in late 2024 and 2025, due to issues ranging from child-resistant packaging failures to microbial contamination.