Listerine Contamination Warrants Massive Recall

Listerine Contamination Warrants Massive Recall

www.msnbc.msn.com

Johnson & Johnson recalled a recently launched Listerine plaque-detecting rinse marketed primarily for use by children after testing revealed contamination by microorganisms.

The company’s McNeil-PPC Inc. unit recalled all 4 million bottles of Glacier Mint and Bubble Blast flavors of Listerine Agent Cool Blue plaque-detecting rinse, a spokeswoman said Wednesday. The recall covers all lots sold or distributed since the product’s launch last year.

(visit the link for the full news article)

We've all read about the Pet Food recalls. Many here on ATS have asked when the next human contamination would happen. 4 million bottles have been recalled.

www.msnbc.msn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

I'm kind of surprised that microorganisms can survive in Listerine. I thought that was the whole point.

I use the crap every day. No halitosis here.

Peace

GEEEEEEEEZZE!! I was just going to go out today and get some for my daughter. She has new braces (got 'em yesterday) and is having a hard time adjusting. The kids listerine would have been helpful.

YIKES .. that was a close one!

Thanks for posting this!

I tell you, now a days whatever you buy it has to come with a tag that said Used at your own discretion because it can kill

I wonder if what we have seen lately, from the spinach scare, peanut butter, pet food and now listering and many others, is nothing more than the results of the lowered standards that our nation have set in the last few years about environmental rules.

I wonder.

[edit on 12-4-2007 by marg6043]

Microbiological testing often takes a few days depending on what organisms are being tested for. The production facilities Q.A. lab should have detected this problem before any of the product was shipped. Besides health concerns, recalls generate bad publicity and unnecessary expense for a company. So much for the "just in time" production management philosophy adopted by many manufacturers.

Originally posted by FlyersFan
GEEEEEEEEZZE!! I was just going to go out today and get some for my daughter. She has new braces (got 'em yesterday) and is having a hard time adjusting. The kids listerine would have been helpful.

YIKES .. that was a close one!

Thanks for posting this!

Zoinks! New braces, eh? That's certainly no fun.
I'm a little scared, because my son has been using this.
For crying out loud, what else do we need to be afraid of?
Next thing we'll hear about botulism in milk. Tell me how scary that would be.

Does anyone have any idea what kind of nasty is contaminating the product? It would be interesting to know if was something really horrid or relatively horrid but not so.

Sorry if I missed it in the article but I can't find any mention of what exactly it is.

I've got some of this on my sink right now. This will make the 4th recall that affected me in 5 months. Maybe I should just stop buying anything.

Originally posted by Jessicamsa
I've got some of this on my sink right now. This will make the 4th recall that affected me in 5 months. Maybe I should just stop buying anything.

Seriously, how much more careful can we, as consumers, be? One thing I was curious about. They've identified wheat gluten as a possible culprit. Do you know how many products humans buy and eat contain wheat gluten? ALOT!

What's next?

Yikes. Glad I use a knockoff.

It is funny that bugs were able to survive in it... it's like 40 proof alcohol. Maybe some microscopic cysts or something. As long as they remain cysts they can survive alcohol, bleach, boiling, etc. Or superbugs resistant to all antiseptics and is slowly trying to take over the world one toothless kid at a time.

There are microorganisms in everything you consume. It's probably harmless, just a little over the established limit.

Originally posted by Dr Love
I'm kind of surprised that microorganisms can survive in Listerine. I thought that was the whole point.

That does make a person wonder. Must be something potent. It's all about making money. I am surprised that anything gets recalled unless the ill effects are obvious. I wonder what doesn't get recalled.

Edit: Maybe the kid stuff is really not too powerful and is just a way to get folks to buy another product.

[edit on 4/12/2007 by roadgravel]

Originally posted by Jessicamsa
I've got some of this on my sink right now. This will make the 4th recall that affected me in 5 months. Maybe I should just stop buying anything.

Science has really jerked you around lately. Then they want you to believe they're right about global warmiing.

[edit on 4/12/2007 by TheAvenger]

Originally posted by apc


It is funny that bugs were able to survive in it... it's like 40 proof alcohol.

I think this kiddy version of mouthwash is alcohol-free.

Keep in mind that this Listerine is for little ones. The alcohol content is LOW (it might even be zero). The point of the product is to swish it around and see the blue goo left on your teeth. This stuff sticks to plaque to help kids learn to brush better. It is not a cleaning agent like the listerine we use.
This is like the red tabs we would have to chew on in grade school that would point out all the plaque (remember all you over 30s out there, the red tabs we'd chew on flouride day?!)

Cheers!!
Obs out

I see no one read the article

No need to panic unless you have AIDS or somehting. The mouthwash is alcohol free like all childrens products.

There have been no reports of consumer health problems associated with the contamination

The recall does not include any other Listerine products, including traditional versions that contain alcohol, spokeswoman Meghan Marschall said. Agent Cool Blue is alcohol-free.

Funny timing, I was just reading something on Listerine the other day and learned the original "flavor" has 26.9% alcohol (~54 proof... I have no clue about the children's type being discussed) Useful to know if you live in a dry county... I guess... We can all be thankful at least that mouth-wash is not a product you swallow!

That's why I only use cheaper stuff, with alcohol. The best thing to use for mouthwash is brandy

Some info on the recall.
www.agentcoolblue.com.../parents_product_info.aspx

If anyone is interested in getting $$$ back or anything.