What do you need to know about this Recall?
This recall is limited to two product SKUs (carton codes), 15063 (18 count) and 15068 (36 count) which were distributed to specific stores in the United States.. The tampons were manufactured with a raw material contaminated with a bacterium, Enterobacter sakazakii, which may cause health risks, including vaginal infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic inflammatory disease or infections that can be life-threatening. Women with serious existing illnesses, cancer or immune-compromised conditions, such as HIV, are at increased risk. There is limited evidence of transfer between individuals with this bacterium.
The impacted product includes both 18-count and 36-count packages of the Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency that were shipped to retail customers between October 29, 2011 and November 2, 2011 in specific Walmart stores in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas; specific Fry’s stores in Arizona; and specific Smith’s stores in Utah and Arizona. More information about the specific product SKUs can be found below at the links to the companies websites, or at the FDA website (Food and Drug Administration). Not all stores in the above mentioned states were impacted. All impacted stores have been alerted to remove the recalled product SKUs from shelves.
Product SKU numbers 15063 and 15068 are the last five digits of the product’s barcode and can be found on the bottom of the package. Specific lot numbers can be found inside the red box located on the bottom of the package.
While as of November 9th, 2011, no reports of any adverse reactions from consumers using the recalled product had yet been received by Kimberly-Clark, this product recall was done in an effort to maintain Kimberly-Clark’s expected high level of quality in all its products.
What should you do if you still possess or have used any of these products?
Consumers should contact a physician immediately if they have used the impacted Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency product 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.
For further consumer information relating to this recall, a listing of stores impacted and the latest information can also be found on the Kimberly-Clark website or the Kotex brand website.
If any consumer still has the impacted Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency in their possession, they should stop using the product immediately. They should also contact Kimberly-Clark’s Consumer Services Division at 1-800-335-6839 so the necessary information and arrangements can be made to retrieve the unused product.
No other Kotex-branded products are subject to this recall, and Kotex Natural Balance Security Tampons that don’t contain the SKU numbers or lot numbers described in this announcement should be considered safe to use by consumers.
