Pharmaceutical giant Bayer has initiated a voluntary recall of over 786,000 units of Afrin Original nasal spray in the U.S. market. The move serves as a preventative measure against potential pediatric poisoning caused by non-compliant packaging designs.
Packaging and labeling deficiencies According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the 6 ml (travel-size) Afrin Original nasal spray was found to lack child-resistant caps and mandatory precautionary labels.
-
Risk factor: The product contains imidazoline. Under U.S. law, products containing this active ingredient must utilize child-resistant packaging to prevent accidental ingestion, which can lead to severe poisoning or physical injury.
-
Product status: Bayer confirmed that the medication remains safe for adults when used as directed. To date, no injuries or fatalities related to this packaging flaw have been reported.
Affected lot details and consumer guidance The recall affects the following lot numbers: 230361, 240822, 241198, 250066, 250152, 250646, and 250831.
-
Distribution: These items were sold at convenience stores and airports from September 2024 to April 2026, priced between $7 and $9.
-
Refund process: Consumers currently possessing the recalled items are advised to store them out of children’s reach immediately. Bayer is offering full refunds to customers who submit photo verification through an online form.
Safety alert for children’s learning towers In a concurrent safety action, the CPSC has ordered the recall of nearly 13,000 children’s learning towers from brands including Toetol, Wiifo, and Amzcmj.
-
Issue: Structural instabilities pose a significant risk of collapsing or tipping over. There have been 21 reported injuries involving these towers, cited for hazards such as breakage and large gaps that could cause children to fall through or become fatally trapped.