If you use eye drops, this might be a good time to check your medicine cabinet.
Several eye drops and ointments exclusively sold at Walmart and Walgreen stores have been recalled because they may not be sterile, the Food and Drug Administration said.
Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc. issued voluntary recalls for various Equate products, including for allergy relief, solutions, eye drops and gel drops—all manufactured and labeled for Walmart. The company also recalled several Perrigo prescription ointments listed on the FDA website.
“Administration of a nonsterile product intended to be sterile may result in serious and potentially life-threatening infections or death,” the recall says.
Altaire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Multiple Ophthalmic Products https://t.co/7qMOnuataU pic.twitter.com/I0JjI9RoTD
— U.S. FDA (@FDArecalls) July 5, 2019
Walgreens Recall
For Walgreens, Altaire has recalled several over-the-counter and prescription eye drops and ophthalmic ointments, including moisturizing eye drops, sodium chloride ophthalmic ointment, sodium chloride ophthalmic solution and lubricant eye ointment. The products are under the brand name Walgreens.
There have been no reports of effects from using the products, the company said. The complete list of recalled products can be found here.
Infant Formula Recalled
In a similar recall last month, an infant formula sold only at Walmart was found to have potential contamination. A single lot of the product may contain “metal foreign matter,” according to Perrigo Company’s news release. The recall is non-mandatory.
The recall affects a single lot, or 23,388 containers, of the 35-ounce, 992-gram containers of Parent’s Choice Advantage Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron.
No adverse events have been reported to date, the company said, but the recall was made out of an abundance of caution stemming from a consumer report. The recall was also made in consultation with the US Food and Drug Administration.
Perrigo said consumers who bought the product should look on the bottom of the package for Lot Code C26EVFV with a “use by” date of February 26, 2021. Those consumers should stop using the formula and go to Walmart for a refund.
On Walmart’s website, the product is billed as “complete nutrition” for a baby’s first year and sells for $19.98.
“This formula is quick and easy to make. All you have to do is add water and shake. Feed your kid with confidence by using Parent’s Choice Advantage Infant Formula,” the product description says.
RECALL ALERT: Perrigo Company issued a voluntary recall for more than 23,000 containers of Parent’s Choice Advantage Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron. The formula is sold at Walmart stores nationwide. https://t.co/r51GSVlGIr pic.twitter.com/dOWx3wFoeB
— ABC 7 News – WJLA (@ABC7News) June 23, 2019