Kotex tampons recalled for bacterial contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall warning for specific lots of Kotex tampons contaminated with a bacterium that could cause vaginal infections and other health risks.

The recall is limited to two specific lots of Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency manufactured by Kimberly-Clark. According to the FDA, both the 18 count and the 36 count packages contain tampons that were made with raw materials contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii, a bug that may cause vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory diseases or other health issues.

Although there have been no reports of illness caused by the tainted tampons, the FDA warns that the Enterobacter bacterium could be especially life threatening to women with preexisting illnesses or compromised immune systems—from HIV, for example.

The recall affects only the 18-count packages (SKU 15063) and the 36-count packages (SKU 15068) of tampons, distributed to specific stores between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2. The FDA says Kimberly-Clark has already contacted the specific retailers—Walmart stores in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas; Fry's stores in Arizona; and Smith's stores in Utah and Arizona—to remove the tainted tampons from their shelves.

Still, the FDA advises consumers to be cautious and check if they recently bought the Kotex tampons. The affected tampons' SKU are the last five digits on the packages' bar codes. The recalled tampons can also be further identified by specific lot numbers, printed in a red box on the bottom of the package.

Consumers should contact a physician immediately if they have used the contaminated Kotex tampons and experience unusual vaginal discharge, rash, fever, headache, vomiting or abdominal pains—particularly if they are HIV positive, have AIDS, cancer, an existing serious illness or may be pregnant.

Consumers with the recalled Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons should immediately discontinue use of the product and contact Kimberly-Clark's toll-free Consumer Services Division (800-335-6839) to make arrangements for safe disposal of the recalled tampons.

Kimberly-Clark Recalls Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency [FDA]
Kimberly-Clark Recalls Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency [Kimberly-Clark]

—Paul Eng