Vicks Dayquil announces recall

By Sheilah Downey

About 700,000 packages of Vicks Dayquil Cold & Flu 24-Count Bonus Pack Liquicaps have been recalled for failing to meet child-resistant packaging  requirements, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced along with company manufacturer Procter & Gamble.

The cold and flu medicine, which contains acetominophen, is not in a child-resistant package and lacks the warning statement, "This Package for Households Without Young Children," according to the press release from the CPSC. The warning is required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.

In their voluntary recall statement, Procter & Gamble said no accidental ingestion by children has been reported but warned that children under 12 years of age should avoid it.

"This medicine could cause serious health problems or death to a child if swallowed," reads the statement. "This product is not intended for children under 12 without a physician's recommendation."

The lack of child-resistant packaging means it is possible that a child could gain access to the medicine, said the P&G recall.

The product comes in orange packaging with the green Vicks symbol and has the UPC#: 3 23900 01087.

Consumers who purchased the DayQuil 24-count product thinking it was in a  child-resistant package should call P&G at 1-800-251-3374 for a refund or a replacement coupon.

Anyone with questions should call P&G or visit their Web site at www.vicks.com

The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns consumers to keep the medication out of the reach of children. Their recall hotline number is 800-638-2772.

No other Vicks product is included in this recall.