Urgent recall of product due to risk of 'life-threatening' fungal infection

20 September 2023 , 10:01

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The producers have warned anyone with this specific batch to contact them (Image: FDA)

A mouthwash in the US has been recalled by its producers after it emerged it could result in severe illness.

Any children who are immune-compromised could be left at risk by the TheraBreath Strawberry Splash for Kids, which it is believed could cause fungemia or disseminated fungal infection. These ailments could be severe or even life-threatening for immune-compromised children.

The product, produced by consumer goods company Church & Dwight, is contaminated with yeast (Candida Parapsilosis), giving it the properties to potentially cause harm in children. For non-immunocompromised people, infections will be less severe and will likely be more responsive to treatment

The anti-cavity mouthwash, created for children above six years of age, comes in a 16-oz container with product number 20509730, lot #PA3083011 and UPC 6 97029 70000 6, and was sold exclusively on Amazon between May 31 and September 2, 2023, ConsumerAffairs reported.

Use of the product can lead to fungemia, a fungal infection (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Customers are advised to stop using the recalled product with immediate effect, and should call the company before throwing away the product in order to receive a full refund. Church & Dwight can be reached at (800) 981-4710 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (ET) or online at www.churchdwightrecall.com for more information.

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Church & Dwight has not yet received reports of illness or injury as a result of use of the product. If you have purchased a different lot of TheraBreath Strawberry Splash, or any other TheraBreath product, they do not need to be recalled and are safe to use - it is only the above-mentioned specific batch.

Only this specific batch has been recalled - all others are fine (FDA)

The largest recall of a product in the US in recent decades was the UTC Fire and Security Kidde fire extinguisher, with 38 million recalled in the US in November 2017 due to functioning issues, and a further 2.7million in Canada. Problems included clogs, difficulty spraying, and nozzles that detached with enough force to harm users - and 140 different products dating all the way back to 1973 were recalled.

One death was recorded in 2014, due to a car crash and the failure of the extinguisher to properly work. This was on top of 16 injuries, 91 property damage incidents, and nearly 400 incidents where extinguishers did not work.

In August 2016, McDonald’s in the US recalled 29 million “Step-iT” activity wristbands found in Happy Meals, due to skin irritation. 70 irritation or burn injuries were reported in children with one mother claiming her child was burned within 8 minutes.

Alex Croft