News & Events

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2009

Media Inquiries: Peper Long, 301-796-4671, mary.long@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA Urges Consumers Not to Purchase or Use Certain Gel-Filled Teethers
Products found to contain bacteria; voluntary nationwide recall underway

Luv N’ Care Ltd. of Monroe, La., is initiating a nationwide recall of gel-filled teethers with the brand names “Nuby,” “Cottontails” and “Playschool,” because the liquid inside the gel-filled teethers has been found to contain Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus circulans bacteria in the gel.

Although these bacteria generally do not cause illness in adults, infants and children with weakened immune systems can experience stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and uncommonly more serious disease, if the teether becomes punctured and they ingest the liquid gel.

Consumers who have teethers with the brand names and UPC Codes listed below should immediately stop using them and discard or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The recall includes the following products:

UPC code       Brand Name 
48526-00451   Nuby
48526-00452   Nuby
48526-00453   Nuby
48526-00454   Nuby
48526-00455   Nuby
48526-00459   Nuby
48526-00467   Nuby
48526-00472   Nuby
48526-00473   Nuby
48526-00482   Nuby
48526-00483   Nuby
48526-00487   Nuby
48526-00490   Nuby
48526-00519   Nuby
48526-00521   Nuby
41520-87115   Cottontails
50428-91511   Playschool
41520-91660   Cottontails

The firm voluntarily recalled the products after learning that the FDA found Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus circulans in the gel in samples from two lots collected by the FDA.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The company distributed the products through retail outlets nationwide. The products have also been found to be marketed on the Internet. The products are packaged in a plastic bubble on a printed card and can be identified by the UPC Codes listed above.

The company has ceased production and distribution of the products and is notifying its distributors to return the products. Consumers are urged to return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund. 

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-256-2399 ext. 3106 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. central time.

Adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

• Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
• Regular Mail: use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm.
  Mail to MedWatch 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
• Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178

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Firm Press Release (July 17, 2009)

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