According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, over 400,000 containers of over-the-counter pain medication are being recalled from all 50 states because the bottles are not child-resistant.
Aurohealth recalled approximately 137,300 units of Walgreens-brand acetaminophen and 25,660 units of Kroger-brand arthritis-pain acetaminophen.
Meanwhile, Time-Cap Lab recalled approximately 209,430 units of Kroger-brand aspirin and ibuprofen, and Sun Pharma returned about 34,660 units of Kroger-brand acetaminophen. Kroger conducted both of these recalls.
People who have bought acetaminophen under the Walgreens brand should get in touch with Aurohealth to receive instructions about returning the medication to the Walgreens location closest to them and receive a refund. Those who purchased Kroger brand products are advised to contact Kroger to correctly dispose of the medicine and get a full refund.
According to a report that was distributed by the insurance company Sedgwick in late May, the number of product recalls in the United States this year has reached its highest level in a decade, with over 900 million units of products being recalled across a variety of industries in the first quarter of 2022.
Recent recalls have affected baby formula, nasal spray, and JIF peanut butter. As in the case of Abbott baby formula, recalls can contribute to supply shortages that affect consumers around the country.
According to the CPSC, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) “requires a number of household substances to be packaged in child-resistant packaging. The packaging required by the PPPA must be designed or constructed to be significantly difficult for children under five years of age to open within a reasonable time, and not difficult for normal adults to use properly.”
“For the sake of the elderly and handicapped who might have difficulty opening such containers,” it continues, “the Act provides that a regulated product available for purchase on store shelves may be packaged in one non-complying size provided it carries a warning that it is not recommended for use in households with children, and provided that the product is also supplied in complying popular size packages.”