The product, for which the warning has been produced, is “Licorice Coughing Liquid OTC Cough Syrup”, manufactured by Ma Ying Long Pharmaceutical Group. The reason for the recall is quite serious: the product contains unidentified morphine.
Due to a label issue, the FDA has warned consumers not to use the cough syrup product. The cough mixture has been sold over-the-counter and via the Internet. The cough syrup’s labeling has instructions and information written in both English and Chinese.
The concern is that the presence of morphine is indicated in Chinese. However, the medicine’s labeling does not identify the presence of morphine written in English. There is a risk that those who take the product and who are hypersensitive to morphine could suffer a serious allergic reaction. There are other risks with using morphine, including respiratory illness, depression and death.
The medicine was manufactured in China. It is imported and distributed by a company called Master Herbs USA, Inc., located in Pomona, California. Following the FDA alert, the distributor is voluntarily recalling the product.
The FDA has cautioned U.S. consumers not to purchase the product and to dispose of any bottles they have in their homes.
There have been several recall this year already in the U.S. These include:
Abbott’s Compounding Pharmacy, over issues of sterility assurance. This recall affects eye drops, and eye ointments.
Uncle Buck’s Fish Batter Mix, due to an undeclared milk ingredient. The risk her is for people with milk allergies, or sensitivity to milk.
Heritage International recalling raw cashew pieces, due to a risk of Salmonella bacterium contamination. People infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Kermit, Inc. recalling barbeque sauces. This is because of soy and anchovies as undeclared ingredients. These additives can cause an allergy risk to consumers.
Good Earth Egg Company recalling eggs because of a Salmonella risk.
Nice! Mandarin orange drink has been recalled due to the possible presence of glass fragments in bottles.
These various recalls show the practices of food producers and pharmaceutical manufacturers can, even in 2016, still go seriously awry.
