Contaminated Cough Syrup Recalled Nationwide: What Parents Need to Know

Medtech Products Inc. has issued a voluntary nationwide recall of five specific lots of Little Remedies® Honey Cough Syrup due to contamination with Bacillus cereus, a bacterium known to cause foodborne illness. The recall, announced June 17 and published by the FDA a day later, affects products sold both in stores and online from December 2022 through early June 2025. Consumers are urged to stop using the product immediately.

The recall covers 4 FL OZ (118 mL) bottles of the honey-based cough remedy, which were distributed under lot numbers 0039, 0545, 0640, 0450, and 1198. Expiration dates on affected units range from November 2025 to December 2026. These products may be harmful due to the presence of Bacillus cereus, which can cause two types of gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, appearing anywhere from one to sixteen hours after ingestion. While most cases are short-term in healthy individuals, high levels of exposure can be fatal.

Although no serious adverse health effects have been reported so far, all potentially affected lots still within their shelf life are being recalled out of caution. The recall does not impact other Little Remedies® products. Consumers who purchased the affected cough syrup are eligible for a refund and are advised to consult a healthcare professional if they or their children experience any related symptoms. Medtech is providing customer service through its website and by phone.

Anyone experiencing health issues or quality problems related to the recalled product is encouraged to report them to the FDA’s MedWatch program either online, by mail, or by fax.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from Medtech Products Inc. press release via FDA.

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