P&G recalls Vicks nasal spray after bacteria found

CINCINNATI — The Procter & Gamble Co. has recalled some 120,000 bottles of Vicks Sinex nasal spray after the company found bacteria in samples during routine testing.

Spokesman Tom Millikin described the voluntary recall as a precaution after small amounts of the B. cepacia bacteria were found in the over-the-counter product at the German plant where it’s made.

Millikin says no illnesses have been reported. He says the bacteria could harm people with chronic lung problems or weakened immune systems.

Three lots of the spray sent to stores in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom are being recalled.

The company, which is based in Cincinnati, says it has informed regulatory authorities in the affected countries.

The bacteria were found in a small amount of the U.S. lot after it shipped, and the company is testing samples from the U.K. and German lots produced from the same raw material mixture in Gross Gerau, Germany.

P&G says consumers should not use the medication and should call P&G for a refund or replacement coupon.

The U.S. Centers for Disease control says on its Web site that the bacteria pose “little medical risk to healthy people.”

Lot numbers are on both outer cartons and the bottles inside. The numbers of the affected lots are:

In the U.S.: 9239028831

In the U.K.: 9224028832

In Germany: 9224028833

On the Net:

www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/id(underscore)BcepaciaFS.html

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