J&J's McNeil unit recalls over 13 million packets of Rolaids

US health care major Johnson & Johnson (J&J) yesterday said that it has recalled more than 13 million packets of Rolaids heartburn products following consumer complaints of metal and wood particles in the product.

J&J has been besieged with recalls this year, having made more than nine recalls of non-prescription medicine and has been operating under continuous scrutiny by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Congress and federal prosecutors.

J&J's McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit is recalling all lots of Rolaids Extra Strength plus Gas Softchews and Rolaids Multi-Symptom plus Anti-Gas Softchews distributed in the US and Canada.

McNeil was forced to recall the heartburn products after consumers complained of foreign materials in the chews, including metal and wood particles.

The company said that its internal investigation revealed that the materials were introduced into the product during the manufacturing process at a third party manufacturer.

 
McNeil said in a statement that while the risk of serious adverse health consequences is remote, it advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue its use.