December 19, 2012

Consumer Alert: Some Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief Nasal Gel is Recalled for Possible Contamination

HARTFORD, December 19 – The Department of Consumer Protection is alerting consumers who may have purchased Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief nasal gel about a national recall of one lot of the product. A bacterium, Burkholderia cepacia, was found in a single sample of the product taken from the affected lot.

The affected lot is 2J23, Expiration 09/15.  While this bacterium poses little medical risk to healthy individuals, it could cause upper airway colonization and secondarily lead to respiratory infections in individuals with a compromised immune system or those with chronic lung conditions, such as cystic fibrosis. The organism is resistant to many antibiotics and may be difficult to eradicate if an infection occurs.  

Consumers who have Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief nasal gel with the Lot No. 2J23, Expiration 09/15 should stop using the product and contact the producer, Matrixx Initiatives, at 1-877-942-2626 for a full refund.

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