What cold medicine was recalled recently? Recent Medication Recalls

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.

Quick Summary

Several cold medicine products have faced recalls in 2024 and 2025 due to potential contamination or packaging that fails child safety standards. Recent examples include products from Safetussin, Kirkland Signature, Zicam, and Little Remedies.

Key Points

• Safetussin Recall: In April 2025, Safetussin Max Strength was recalled for failing child-resistant packaging requirements, posing a poisoning risk.

• Kirkland Signature Recall: Costco recalled its Severe Cold & Flu Plus Congestion medicine in January 2025 due to potential contamination with foreign material.

• Microbial Contamination: Recalls for Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup and Zicam nasal swabs were issued in June 2025 because of microbial (fungi/yeast) contamination.

• Phenylephrine Update: The FDA is working to remove oral phenylephrine from the market due to its proven ineffectiveness as a nasal decongestant when taken orally.

• Check Your Medicine Cabinet: Always check for recall notices, especially for lot numbers, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for returning or disposing of affected products.

• Find Safe Alternatives: Consult a pharmacist to find safe alternative products with similar active ingredients if your medication has been recalled.

Recent Cold Medicine Recalls in 2024 and 2025

Staying informed about medication recalls is crucial for consumer safety. In recent months, regulatory agencies and manufacturers have issued recalls for several over-the-counter cold and flu products due to various safety concerns. Recalls are typically voluntary actions taken by companies after identifying issues through internal processes or consumer reports.

Examples of Recent Recalls

Several notable cold medicine recalls have occurred in late 2024 and 2025:

• Safetussin Max Strength Multi-Symptom Cough, Cold and Flu: In April 2025, over 14,000 packs of Safetussin tablets were recalled because the packaging did not meet federal child-resistant requirements. The tablets could be easily pushed through the blister foil, posing a poisoning risk to young children. These products were sold nationwide between July 2024 and March 2025.
• Kirkland Signature Severe Cold & Flu Plus Congestion: Costco recalled this product in January 2025 due to potential contamination with a foreign material during manufacturing.
• Zicam and Little Remedies Products: In June 2025, multiple Zicam and Little Remedies products were recalled due to microbial contamination (fungi) found in components. This recall included Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Little Remedies® Honey Cough Syrup. The contamination poses a potential infection risk, particularly for immunocompromised individuals.
• Robitussin Honey CF Max (Day & Night): In January 2024, Haleon recalled several lots of these adult cough syrups due to high levels of yeast, a form of microbial contamination.

Broader Regulatory Actions

Beyond specific product recalls, the FDA has also taken broader actions impacting cold medicines. In November 2024, the FDA announced its intention to remove oral phenylephrine from the market, a common ingredient in many over-the-counter cold medications, because studies showed it is ineffective as a nasal decongestant when taken orally.

Understanding the Reasons for Recalls

Medication recalls can occur for several reasons, including:

• Microbial Contamination: The presence of unwanted microorganisms like bacteria or fungi in medications.
• Manufacturing Issues: Problems during production, such as foreign material contamination or incorrect dosages.
• Packaging Violations: Failure to meet federal standards, such as child-resistant packaging requirements.
• Labeling Errors: Incorrect or misleading information on product labels.

What to Do If You Have a Recalled Product

If you find a recalled product, you should:

1. Stop using it immediately.
2. Securely store it away from children and pets.
3. Check the recall notice to confirm if your specific product lot is affected.
4. Follow the provided instructions from the manufacturer or retailer regarding disposal and refunds.
5. {Link: Drugs.com https://www.drugs.com/fda_alerts.html}

Comparison of Recent Cold Medicine Recalls

Recalled Product	Recall Reason	Affected Lots / Item #	Date of Announcement	Authority
Safetussin Max Strength	Not child-resistant packaging	All 24-count blister packs sold between July 2024 and March 2025	April 2025	CPSC
Kirkland Signature Severe Cold & Flu	Potential foreign material contamination	Lot code P140082, Item #1729556	January 2025	Costco (Manufacturer)
Zicam® & Orajel™ Nasal Swabs	Microbial contamination	All lots within expiry	June 2025	FDA
Little Remedies® Honey Cough Syrup	Microbial contamination	Five specific lots recalled; all lots within expiry included	June 2025	FDA
Robitussin Honey CF Max (Day & Night)	Microbial contamination (high yeast levels)	Eight lots recalled	January 2024	FDA

Finding Safe Alternatives

If your cold medicine is recalled, consult a pharmacist to help you find a safe alternative with similar active ingredients that has not been recalled. Always review the 'Drug Facts' label on any new medication for ingredients and usage instructions.

Conclusion

Recent cold medicine recalls, such as those involving Safetussin, Kirkland Signature, Little Remedies, and Zicam, highlight the importance of staying informed about product safety. Reasons for these recalls vary, from packaging issues to microbial contamination. Consumers should check for recall notices, particularly lot numbers, and follow guidance on what to do with affected products. {Link: Drugs.com https://www.drugs.com/fda_alerts.html}

Frequently Asked Questions

What cold medicine was recalled most recently?

As of September 2025, one of the most recent recalls includes several Zicam and Little Remedies products in June 2025, due to microbial contamination. Medtech Products Inc. recalled Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup, and Church & Dwight recalled Zicam nasal swabs.

Why was Safetussin cold medicine recalled in April 2025?

Safetussin Max Strength Multi-Symptom Cough, Cold and Flu tablets were recalled by the CPSC because the packaging was not child-resistant, violating federal regulations. The pills could be pushed through the blister foil, posing a poisoning risk to young children.

Which Kirkland Signature cold medicine was recalled in 2025?

Costco recalled Kirkland Signature brand Severe Cold & Flu Plus Congestion caplets in January 2025. The recall was due to potential contamination with foreign material and affected a specific lot (P140082) sold between October and November 2024.

What should I do if I find a recalled cold medicine in my home?

If you have a recalled cold medicine, stop using it immediately and secure it away from children and pets. Follow the specific disposal and refund instructions provided by the manufacturer or retailer.

Is oral phenylephrine being recalled?

While not a product recall in the traditional sense, the FDA announced in November 2024 that it would seek to remove oral phenylephrine from the market because it is ineffective as an oral nasal decongestant. This affects many cold and flu products, and consumers should be aware of this change when selecting medication.

How can I check if a specific cold medicine has been recalled?

You can check the official websites of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for the most up-to-date information on drug and product recalls. Search for the specific product name and lot number.

Are generic versions of recalled products also unsafe?

Not necessarily. Recalls are typically specific to the manufacturer and production lot. A recall on a brand-name product does not mean all generics are affected. Always verify the specific manufacturer and lot number against the recall notice to be sure.

Were any Robitussin products recalled recently?

Yes, in January 2024, Haleon recalled several lots of Robitussin Honey CF Max day and night adult cough syrups due to microbial contamination (high yeast levels). While a 2024 recall, it's a prominent recent example of cold medicine recalls.

Where were the recalled Safetussin products sold?

The recalled Safetussin Max Strength tablets were distributed to regional grocery stores and independently owned pharmacies nationwide, including H-E-B and Harris-Teeter, between July 2024 and March 2025.