Kimberly-Clark is recalling 1,400 cartons of Kotex Natural Balance Security tampons (unscented, regular absorbency) due to possible bacterial contamination.
The company said in the recall statement that the sanitary supplies were manufactured with a material that was contaminated with bacterium Enterobacter sakazakii, “which may cause health risks, including vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease or infections that can be life-threatening.” Women with underlying health problems, cancer and immune-compromised diseases like HIV and AIDS, or those who are pregnant or may be pregnant are at an increased risk of infection, according to the release.
The recall includes 18-count and 36-count boxes that were shipped between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2, 2011 to Walmart, Fry’s and Smith’s stores in Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. Not all stores in the affected states received the recalled products. Kimberly-Clark has a full list of all the affected stores on its website, and said that each one had been alerted to take the product off of the shelves.
All other Kotex tampons, including Natural Balance Security tampons that don’t contain the affected SKU or lot numbers, are safe to use, the company said.
The FDA warned that anyone who has used the recalled product and experienced unusual vaginal discharge, rash, fever, headache, vomiting or abdominal pains should seek medical attention immediately. Consumers can contact the company for instructions on sending it back by calling 800-335-6839.