Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Robitussin Cough syrups recall: Microbial Contamination

Recall published 2+ years ago

Microbial Contamination

Robitussin Prescription & OTC drugs — recalled prescription & otc drugsRobitussin Prescription & OTC drugs — recalled prescription & otc drugs (photo 2)Robitussin Prescription & OTC drugs — recalled prescription & otc drugs (photo 3)
3 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Microbial contamination

A micro-organism that should not be in this product was found in it, which is why the batch is being pulled rather than quietly reworked.

What the notice says: In immunocompromised individuals, the use of the affected product could potentially result in severe or life-threatening adverse events such as fungemia or disseminated fungal infection.

Why it matters: The product was found, or is suspected, to carry a harmful micro-organism. The agency notice names the specific organism and that detail matters, because the illness it causes and the people most at risk differ from one to the next.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Most foodborne infections cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea, nausea and sometimes fever, starting anywhere from hours to weeks after exposure depending on the organism. See a doctor for a high fever, bloody diarrhoea, vomiting that stops you keeping liquids down, diarrhoea lasting more than three days, or signs of dehydration. Infants, pregnant people, adults over 65 and anyone immunocompromised should seek advice earlier.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
January 24, 2024
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Robitussin
Product type
Prescription & OTC drugs

Products covered by this recall

Cough syrups

What the company announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 24, 2024 – Warren, NJ, Haleon is voluntarily recalling eight lots of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult to the consumer level. The product is being recalled due to microbial contamination.

In immunocompromised individuals, the use of the affected product could potentially result in severe or life-threatening adverse events such as fungemia or disseminated fungal infection. In non-immunocompromised consumers, the population most likely to use the product, life-threatening infections are not likely to occur. However, the occurrence of an infection that may necessitate medical intervention cannot be completely ruled out.

To date, Haleon has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

Robitussin Honey CF Max Day and Nighttime are cough syrups indicated for the temporary relief of symptoms occurring with cold or flu, hay fever, or other respiratory allergies. This recall covers only the following lots:

  • Product: ROBITUSSIN HONEY CF MAX DAY ADULT 4OZ · Lot Number: T10810 · Expiry Date: 31OCT2025
  • Product: ROBITUSSIN HONEY CF MAX DAY ADULT 8OZ · Lot Number: T08730 T08731 T08732 T08733 T10808 · Expiry Date: 31MAY2025 31MAY2025 31MAY2025 31MAY2025 30SEP2025
  • Product: ROBITUSSIN HONEY CF MAX NT ADULT 8OZ · Lot Number: T08740 T08742 · Expiry Date: 30JUN2026 30JUN2026

Haleon is notifying its distributors and customers directly and has provided them with instructions for the return of all recalled products. Consumers that have purchased the product listed should stop consumption immediately. Please call our Consumer Relations team at +1-800-245-1040 (Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time) or reach out via email to [email protected] .

Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 6 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • T10810
  • T08740 T08742

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 31OCT2025
  • 30JUN2026 30JUN2026

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 4 OZ
  • 8 OZ

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Contamination

Robitussin — A micro-organism that should not be in this product was found in it, which is why the batch is being pulled rather than quietly reworked.

  1. Stop eating it and keep it separate from other food.
  2. Clean and sanitise the fridge shelf, container or surface it was stored on.
  3. Read the official notice for the organism named — the advice for Listeria, Salmonella and hepatitis A is not the same.
  4. If anyone who ate it is unwell, mention the recall and the date by name when you call a clinician.

How to get your money back

Food recalls carry a full refund, and in the United States you usually do not need the receipt or the packaging.

  • Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.
  • Bought it online? Open the order in your account and use the refund option; marketplace sellers are required to honour a federal recall.
  • If the store refuses, contact the recalling company using the details on this page. The firm, not the shop, carries the cost of a recall.
  • If you have a loyalty card, the retailer can look the purchase up in your history — Kroger, Costco and Walmart all do this routinely.

Company contact: Haleon — Consumers: Consumer Relations team, +1-800-245-1040, [email protected] — Media: Haleon Media Relations, 1-800-245-1040, [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Robitussin prescription & otc drugs recalled?

Microbial Contamination In immunocompromised individuals, the use of the affected product could potentially result in severe or life-threatening adverse events such as fungemia or disseminated fungal infection.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: lot code T10810, T08740 T08742; best-by date 31OCT2025 or 30JUN2026 30JUN2026. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop eating it and keep it separate from other food.

Can I get my money back?

Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.

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