Millions of Laundry Detergent Pods Recalled Due to Faulty Packaging
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is recalling over 8 million bags of laundry detergent pods across the United States and Canada due to a defect in the child-resistant packaging.
The recall, announced on Friday by P&G and safety regulators, affects select batches of Tide, Gain, Ace, and Ariel laundry detergent pods manufactured between September 2023 and February 2024.
Risk of Accidental Ingestion for Children
The faulty packaging was a defect of the outer zipper track on the bags, which can split open, potentially allowing children easy access the pods inside. Ingesting pods can pose a serious health risk, including vomiting, diarrhea, liver and kidney damage, and even death.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commision (CPSC), from 2012 to 2017, eight deaths were related to ingesting detergent pods. Just in 2017, over 10,000 cases of detergent exposure were reported to posion centers for children 5 and under.
While there haven't been any confirmed injuries directly linked to this current packaging defect, P&G and safety regulators urge caution.
During the recall period, there were four reported incidents in the US of children accessing laundry packets, three of which ingested them. However, it's unknown if these specific cases involved pods from the recalled batches.
Affected Products and How to Respond
The recall covers a variety of sizes and scents of Tide, Gain, Ace, and Ariel laundry detergent pods. Consumers can identify recalled products by checking the lot code. Major retailers like Walmart, Target, CVS, and Amazon sold the affected batches.
P&G is urging anyone with recalled laundry detergent pods to keep them out of reach and sight of children. Consumers can contact P&G for a full refund and a free replacement child-resistant bag to safely store the remaining detergent, which is still safe to use for laundry purposes.
Laundry Detergent Safety
This recall highlights the ongoing concern about potential harm from laundry detergent pods, especially for children. Following the now infamous "Tide Pod Challenge" on social media a few years ago, safety officials continue to emphasize the importance of proper storage.
Since young children might mistake the colorful pods for candy, keeping them out of reach remains crucial to prevent accidental ingestion.
P&G representatives are available for comment regarding the recall and its scope. Consumers can find more information and instructions on the P&G website.