It’s June 2025. Early this month, New York health authorities made a rather concerning announcement. Many cold and flu medicines have had their cotton swab applicators tested and found contaminated. There is a dangerous fungus in these products. How could this happen? Sure, they’ve been immediately removed from shelves, authorities alarmed the consumers. But summer is nearing its peak and this pullback is affecting everyone. So, what really happened, and what products are affected?
1. The Culprit
Under the microscope, it was concluded that the culprit is a mold capable of causing blood infections. Church & Dwight, the maker of Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam Nasal All Clear Swabs and Orajel Baby Teething Swabs has also confirmed the fungus is found in the cotton tips. And these products have been sold across New York as well as other states. Infants are particularly at risk for life-threatening fungemia!
2. No Warnings On Fungus
This fungal species isn’t well-known. It is no global superbug like Candida auris, but it can cause serious bloodstream infections. These infections are often missed until it becomes too late! This fungus enters the bloodstream through nasal passages or sore gums, basically everything cotton swabs touch. Even a sniff or a teething session becomes dangerous.
3. New York Is Coordinating A Pullback
Across New York, pharmacies have started with immediate withdrawal after FDA flagged contamination. Marion County is where the infected swabs were first detected. This recall is reaching all outlets statewide, and consumers are urged to throw away or return open or used products. The reach is wide, but is it enough?
4. Cotton Swabs Are A Danger Zone
Cotton tips can trap moisture throughout the manufacturing process. That’s the perfect ground for developing fungus. Should sterilization prove incomplete, then mold, stubborn as it is, survives. Since these cotton tips are used directly in the nose and mouth, the risk for a bloodstream infection is high. It’s rare, but a severe risk.
5. Vulnerable People Are At A Higher Risk
The groups that are being targeted here are infants, immunocompromised patients and the elderly. They’re all susceptible to blood-borne fungal infections. Doctors are warning everyone that early symptoms mimic usual diseases. Fever, low blood pressure, blurred vision. Slow or wrong diagnoses may escalate.
6. What You Should Do
Are you living in New York or neighboring states? Check your medicine cabinet for Zicam or Orajel swabs. Toss, or better yet, return these products, not just the swabs. The manufacturer is offering a full refund, no questions asked! And make sure to monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention at the very first signs.
7. FDA’s Broader Cold Remedy Sweep
What’s happening now isn’t an isolated case. The FDA recently issued nationwide recalls for many Zicam and Orajel cold, allergy and teething products. Other cold and flu medicine, like Kirkland Signature Severe Cold & Flu caplets at Costco have been pulled due to foreign materials found inside. This looks like an ongoing issue in the over-the-counter medication manufacturing.
8. OTC Medicines And Their Troubling Pattern
We must identify a few common issues. Improper sterilization, moisture build-up and not enough microbial screenings! These everyday products are a part of millions of homes. And yet, people have started to wonder. In how many lapses can we trust? How long can it take until over-the-counter medicines stop posing a bigger threat to people’s health?
9. Not Just A Microscopic Risk
Mold grows fast, symptoms appear slow, so fungal contamination is often underestimated. Infectious-disease doctors are warning that such fungus moves past antibiotic defenses and hides in sterile tissues. Not visible, not easily traceable. It looks like a person has a cold until the bloodstream crisis takes place.
10. Temporary Measures, Ongoing Fixes
FDA is classifying this swab recall as Class I. That’s the most serious type, leading to very serious health conditions. Church & Dwight is working with the FDA to inspect the manufacturing facilities and demand stricter sterilization protocols. But until then, retailers must quarantine all suspected lots. The timeline for resuming sales is looking very unstable.
11. Other States Reacting
New York moved very fast. Now other states must move swiftly. Consumer watchdog groups like Consumer Reports are calling for a national guidelines overhaul. From New Jersey to Massachusetts, pharmacies are pulling products while waiting for lab results. This recall can lead to stricter OTC medication standards.
12. Spotting Fungemia Early
If you notice these symptoms after using nasal and teething swabs, seek medical attention. Persistent fever, chills, fatigue, or unexplained low blood pressure. Fungal blood tests are also recommended. Early detection improves the outcome significantly. Remember, time is critical!
13. Cotton Sourcing Is Under Review
Manufacturers are tracing the origin of cotton tips and checking the shipping conditions. FDA is looking into third-party lab testing for every lot and a “Certificate of Sterility” proof. But this risks raising the production costs, which would ultimately result in higher pricing. However, many say they’d rather spend extra bucks than risk a life-threatening condition.
14. Industry-Wide Implications
Cold and flu products are marked as low risk. But then, this ongoing issue is shining a light on the blind spot. Regulatory bodies are now re-evaluating testing frequency, packaging standards and sterilization protocols. In the meantime, manufacturers must fight not to lose patient trust, as now they have to prove they’re learned their lesson.
15. What Retailers Should Do
Pharmacies, as well as big-box chains, are being urged into checking their shelves and checking the product lot numbers with FDA guidelines. Employees are trained into offering refunds and collecting contaminated products to dispose of them safely. Communicating with the customer and being transparent is the key now.
16. Action Plan For Parents
Check for swabs, nasal sprays and teething sticks in your medicine cabinet. All that contain cotton applicators are suspicious. So, look up the batch numbers against FDA alerts and either dispose or bring the products to the pharmacy. In the meantime, turn to alternatives, such as silicone teething rings or medicine droppers. Communicate with the pediatrician promptly.
17. Consumer Advocacy
More frequent FDA testing for OTC lots is now a matter consumer organizations keep pressing. This amount of public pressure has the potential to push officials into agreeing with minimum laboratory clearance for all cotton-tipped medicine. If enough consumers demand it, legislation could follow the reform.
18. When Is Normal Coming Back
Once the manufacturers complete sterilization audits and FDA confirms everything is safe, cotton-tip swabs can return to shelves. But consumers can still choose silicone options if they wish not to stress about this. Checking the lot number and verifying the lab certifications still remain crucial for the safe practice of cotton-tip swabs.
19. Trust Needs To Be Regained
Everyday health products aren’t always safe, as proven here. The fungal risk proves incredibly stressful since it’s quiet and hidden. So, people can lose trust in OTC manufacturing. As the summer cold season is nearing its peak, awareness is essential. Stay safe, and vigilant as the FDA and manufacturers are potentially revising and changing their approaches.