Tops Takes Tylenol, Rolaids, Other Products Off Shelves as Precaution

McNeil Consumer Healthcare is voluntarily recalling certain lots of over-the-counter products following an investigation of consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that, in a small number of cases, was associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events.

As a precautionary measure, 53 varieties of over-the-counter Tylenol, Motrin, Rolaids, and St. Joseph products have been taken off of Tops’ shelves as a result of McNeil Consumer Healthcare and the FDA applying broader criteria to identify and remove all product lots that it believes may have the potential to be affected, even if they have not been the subject of consumer complaints.

Tops is pulling all lots containing these products off of shelves as a precautionary measure. It may be the case that some product is unaffected, but until Tops receives confirmation by McNeil Consumer Health that these products are unaffected, they will remain off of the shelves. The products in the unaffected lots may potentially be restocked on shelves once Tops learns that those products are safe.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare has determined that the reported uncharacteristic smell is caused by the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). This can result from the breakdown of a chemical that is sometimes applied to wood that is used to build wood pallets that transport and store product packaging materials. A small number of the product lots being recalled were associated with the complaints of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor, and some of these lots were found to contain trace amounts of TBA.

Consumers who purchased product from the lots included in this recall are urged to stop using the product and they may return it to Tops Markets for a full refund. Customers can also contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare for instructions on a refund or replacement. For these instructions or information regarding how to return or dispose of the product, consumers should log on to the internet at www.mcneilproductrecall.com or call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Consumers who have medical concerns or questions should contact their healthcare provider. Any adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

For a complete list of specific recalled products including product descriptions, lot numbers, and UPC codes, customers should go to the FDA’s website at www.fda.gov, or www.mcneilproductrecall.com. To see what products Tops has pulled off of shelves, please go to www.topsmarkets.com