Nationwide Tampon Recall Includes Missouri Stores
On behalf of Brown & Crouppen, P.C. posted in Defective Products on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The manufacturer of Kotex tampons recently announced a recall of around 1,400 cases of the women’s product due to possible bacterial contamination. Use of a contaminated tampon could cause a serious infection in women, especially those with preexisting health problems. The recall includes tampons shipped to more than a dozen stores in Missouri.
The specific brand included in the recall is Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency. Kimberly-Clark, the manufacturer, initiated the recall after company testers found that a plastic tube used to contain the tampons was tainted with Enterobacter sakazakii, a bacteria that can cause infections to the vagina and urinary tract, pelvic inflammatory disease or other illnesses. Women suffering from HIV, cancer or other immunity system-compromising conditions are especially at risk for infection.
The recall includes 16 Walmart locations in Missouri, and several other chain stores in Western and plains states. The stores received the lots between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2. The potentially infected tampons were mostly removed from store shelves as of Nov. 16, but some boxes may still be for sale. A company spokesman estimated that 98 percent of the 1,400 boxes had been recovered at that point.
Consumers should be on the lookout for 18-count and 36-count boxes with SKU numbers of 15063 and 15068. Anyone who believes she has purchased recalled tampons should stop using them in contact Kimberly-Clark. A phone number for the company is available in the article linked below.
Source: MSNBC, “Kotex tampons recalled over bacterial contamination,” JoNel Aleccia, Nov. 14, 2011