Robitussin Cough Syrups Recalled Over Microbial Contamination Concerns

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer

• Today, the Food and Drug Administration announced that eight lots of two Robitussin products have been recalled due to microbial contamination.

• Haleon, the producer of Robitussin, recalled specific lots and expiration dates of two products: Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult.

• The recalled cough syrups may be especially dangerous for immunocompromised people, who could develop severe or life-threatening conditions like fungemia or disseminated fungal infection after use.

Two Robitussin products have been recalled, according to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement today.

Robitussin producer Haleon has issued a nationwide recall for two of its cough syrup products—Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult—due to microbial contamination, the FDA shared.

The recall affects eight lots of the cough syrups, which are used to temporarily relieve symptoms of cold or flu, hay fever, or other respiratory allergies. In the thick of respiratory virus season, the products are likely seeing an uptick in consumption.

According to the company’s press announcement, shared by the FDA, the affected products, lot numbers, and expiration dates are as follows:

Microbial contamination is the presence of unwanted pathogens—or disease-causing microorganisms—in food, drink, or other products. Though it’s unclear what type of microorganism has contaminated the cough syrups, the recall could mean the presence of any of the following: bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, or prions.

Contamination like this can occur at any point in the production process—from manufacturing to administering—which only highlights the importance of proper hygiene and safety measures from start to finish.

So far, the company has not received any adverse events related to the recall. But in immunocompromised people, using any of the affected products could lead to severe or life-threatening conditions like fungemia, the presence of fungus or yeasts in the blood, or disseminated fungal infection, when a fungus spreads throughout the body.

For people who are not immunocompromised, ingesting any of the recalled products is unlikely to result in any adverse reactions, but the possibility “cannot be ruled out,” the company said.

Haleon said it is notifying distributors and customers of the product directly to provide them with the next steps on how to return or dispose of the recalled products.

Consumers who may have the products at home are advised to stop using the cough syrups immediately and to contact a physician or healthcare provider if they’ve experienced any adverse events while taking the products.

Anyone with questions regarding the recently recalled products is instructed to call Haleon’s Consumer Relations team at 1-800-245-1040, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time, or to email the company at mystory.us@haleon.com.

Related: The Best (and Worst) Cold and Flu Medicines, According to Experts

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