Kotex recall: Are you affected?

The Food and Drug Administration has recalled approximately 1,400 cases of Kotex tampons from stores in eight states because of a bacterial contamination.

The contamination has been linked to various health risks, including life-threatening infections. So far, there have been no reports of illnesses caused by the contamination.

The recall affects 18- and 36-count packages of  Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons (regular absorbency), manufactured by Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark. The company produces mostly paper-based products, including Kleenex, Cottonelle toilet paper, and Huggies diapers.

The tampons were distributed in Walmart stores in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas; Fry's stores in Arizona; and Smith's stores in Utah and Arizona, between Oct. 29 and Nov.2. A full list of impacted stores is available at the Kimberly-Clark website.

Already, 97 percent of the affected products have been recovered, including all of the 18-count packages, says Bob Brand, a spokesperson for Kimberly-Clark.  But consumers with the affected tampons should stop using the product immediately and call the company’s consumer services division at 800-335-6839 to “return the product and obtain a coupon for replacement.”  

If you suspect you have a recalled package, look for a barcode with the last five digits “15063” or “15068”

You can also identify recalled packages by their lot number, which is printed in red at the bottom of the packages. Affected carton lot numbers are below:

AC129321X

AC129325X

AC129421X

AC129425X

AC129521X

AC129525X

AC129621X

AC129625X

AC129721X

AC129725X

AC129821X

AC129825X 

AC129921X

AC129925X