Children's Tylenol recalled because of possible bacteria

NEW YORK — Johnson & Johnson's McNeil unit is voluntarily recalling 57 lots of infants' and children's liquid Tylenol products because of possible bacterial contamination.

The products being recalled were made between April and June and include nearly 24 varieties such as Children's Tylenol Suspension 4 oz. Grape, Infants' Tylenol Grape Suspension Drops 1/4 oz. and Children's Tylenol Plus Cold/Allergy 4 oz. Bubble Gum.

Johnson & Johnson said it had contacted wholesalers and retailers about the recall.

An inactive ingredient didn't meet internal testing requirements, the company said, and B. cepacia bacteria were detected in a portion of raw material that went unused in the finished product.

The company said in a letter that no bacteria were found in the finished product, and that the likelihood of a serious medical event is remote.

But it said it decided after consulting with the Food and Drug Administration that it would recall the products.

"It was decided, as a precaution, to recall all product that utilized any of the raw material manufactured at the same time as the raw material that tested positive for the bacteria," the company said.

Consumers with questions should call McNeil's consumer call center at 800-962-5357.

Lot numbers can be found on the bottom of the product's box and on the sticker that surrounds the product's bottle.

A full list of the recalled products and lot numbers is available to Tylenol's Web site: www.tylenol.com