Department of Health alerts Hawaiʻi residents to national recall on Zicam, Orajel cotton swabs

The Food and Drug Branch of the Hawai‘i Department of Health has put out an alert to residents about a recall issued by Church & Dwight Co. of its Zicam and Orajel swabs because of potential microbial contamination in the cotton swab components.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide, including at supermarkets and drug stores in Hawai‘i. The recalled product information is as follows:

• 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 limited exclusively to the Zicam and Orajel swab products. No other Zicam or Orajel products are affected by this recall. The Food and Drug Branch is following up with local stores to ensure that the recalled products are no longer available for sale.

Swabs containing microbial contamination may potentially present a significant risk to the health and safety of consumers, including serious and life-threatening blood infections in users whose nasal mucosa may be compromised due to inflammation and/or injury.

The risk is potentially severe or life-threatening among children and individuals with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions.

Symptoms may include fever, nasal congestion, headache, one-sided facial swelling and/or face pain. Please contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are experiencing any unusual issues or symptoms after having recently used any of the recalled products.

To date, there have been no reports of illness or adverse events attributed to the recalled products. The Food and Drug Branch advises consumers to verify if they purchased the recalled products based on the UPC markings printed on the box (located with the bar code).

If verified, consumers should stop using the product immediately and contact Church & Dwight Co. for a full refund here or by calling its consumer relations team at 800-981-4710. Consumers may also call the team for additional information Monday through Friday from 3 to 11 a.m. Hawai‘i time.