Any manufacturing process can be vulnerable to unavoidable malfunctions or unknown contaminants coming in through individual ingredients.

That is not the problem here.

Problems evident to the naked eye are unacceptable in any plant making medications, foods or other items which have contact with the human exterior or interior.

Johnson and Johnson, once one of the most trusted names in over-the-counter products has had, as this New York Times story says, four recalls in the last year.

This company produces 40 medications for kids, which are given for pain or allergies.

What Can You Do?

• Ask your child’s doctor for recommendations for pain or allergy medications which are not produced by McNeill, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson.
• Store and save any products you have which are recalled. The company may grant a refund later. Keep them out of the reach of children.
• Always check with the FDA Recalls list if you have doubts about a product.

The New York Times

“Lawmakers requested information on Thursday from regulators about Johnson & Johnson’s recall of Children’s Tylenol and other over-the-counter pediatric medicines, saying the company’s repeated recalls “point to a major problem” with production.

“The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has opened an investigation after Johnson & Johnson recalled 40 widely used children’s pain and allergy medications, saying some might have a higher concentration of their active ingredients, while others might be contaminated.

“In an F.D.A. report issued Tuesday, inspectors said they had found thick dust, grime and contaminated ingredients at the plant that produces Children’s Tylenol and dozens of other products recalled last week.”

Source: New York Times, May 6, 2010