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A report by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US has revealed that ingredients used by Johnson & Johnson in some of the 40 types of children’s cold medicines recalled last week were contaminated with bacteria.
However, none of the firm’s finished products tested positive for the contaminants, according to officials from the agency.
Deborah Autor, director of FDA’s drug compliance office, said: “We think the risk to consumers at this point is remote.”
The sweeping recall, which took place last week, is the latest quality issue to dog J&J’s over-the-counter medicine franchise.
Earlier this year, the company recalled a line of adult Tylenol pain relievers following complaints of a mouldy smell associated with wooden pallets used to transport the drugs.
The FDA report lists more than 20 manufacturing problems found at the McNeil Consumer Healthcare plant in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, where the formulas were made.
The recalled products include children and infant variations of Benadryl, Tylenol, Motrin, and Zyrtec.
FDA inspectors visited the plant in mid-April and concluded their inspection last Friday. J&J issued its “voluntary” recall later that night.
Copyright Press Association 2010
Food and Drug Administration
