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The recall involves seven lots of the popular pain reliever sold through Amazon

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• More than 112,000 bottles of Amazon-brand Extra Strength Acetaminophen are being recalled nationwide.

• The FDA says consumers complained about discolored tablets in the affected lots.

• The recall covers 200-, 500- and 1,000-count bottles of 500 mg acetaminophen sold through Amazon.

Consumers who keep a large bottle of generic pain reliever in the medicine cabinet should check the label and lot number.

Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc. is recalling more than 112,000 bottles of Amazon-brand Extra Strength Acetaminophen, 500 mg, after receiving consumer complaints about discolored tablets, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration enforcement report.

The recall was initiated Sept. 18 and involves products distributed nationwide by Amazon.com Services LLC. The FDA lists the reason for the recall as Discoloration: consumer complaints received for discolored tablets.

Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol, but the recalled medicine is not Tylenol-branded medication. It is a generic acetaminophen product sold under Amazon's brand.

According to the FDA information, the recall involves approximately 112,932 bottles. The medicine was sold in three bottle sizes: 200 tablets, 500 tablets and 1,000 tablets.

Check these lot numbers

Consumers can determine whether they have recalled medicine by checking the lot number printed on the bottle.

The affected lots are:

200-count bottles
ACD125040A

500-count bottles
ACD124036A
ACD124030A
ACD124042A
ACD124048B
ACD125010A

1,000-count bottles
ACD124048A

The products carry NDC numbers 72288-692-20, 72288-692-50 and 72288-692-01, depending on bottle size.

The FDA enforcement information indicates the products were manufactured in India and distributed by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Recall has not yet been classified

As of the FDA's latest information, the recall is listed as not yet classified. That means the agency has not assigned it a Class I, II or III designation reflecting the level of potential health risk.

FDA explains that recall classifications are often made after a company has already begun removing a product from the market. A Class I recall involves a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death, Class II generally involves temporary or medically reversible health consequences, and Class III involves products unlikely to cause adverse health consequences.

The available recall information does not identify an illness or injury associated with the affected acetaminophen. The stated reason for the recall is the consumer reports of tablet discoloration.

What consumers should do

Consumers with Amazon Extra Strength Acetaminophen should first check the bottle's lot number against the recalled lots.

FDA advises consumers dealing with a medication recall to follow instructions provided by the recalling company and to check the product's lot number rather than assuming that every package of the medicine is affected.

For prescription medicines, FDA cautions patients against simply stopping treatment without consulting a health care professional because suddenly discontinuing some medications can present a greater risk than continuing them. In this case, acetaminophen is an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer.

Consumers who have one of the affected bottles can also check their Amazon account for recall information. Amazon has previously said that when products purchased through its site are recalled, it can notify affected customers and provide recall and product-safety information through their accounts.

The recall underscores an important distinction for consumers who may have seen reports referring to a Tylenol recall. Acetaminophen is commonly associated with the Tylenol brand, but many manufacturers sell generic versions of the drug. This recall applies to the specified Amazon-brand acetaminophen products and lots, not Tylenol products.

Recall expands to additional lots of blueberries and berry blends

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A recall of frozen organic berries sold at Walmart has been expanded to include additional lots, while one lot sold at Trader Joes has also been recalled.

• The products may be contaminated with E. coli O145, which can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.

• Consumers are being urged to check their freezers and either throw away the recalled berries or return them to the store for a refund.

Consumers who keep frozen fruit on hand for smoothies and other foods may want to take a close look at what's in their freezers.

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile, has expanded an earlier recall of frozen organic blueberries and berry blends because they may be contaminated with a potentially dangerous strain of E. coli. The recalls began in July.

The expanded recall includes additional lots of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend and Great Value Organic Blueberries sold at Walmart, as well as one lot of Trader Joes Organic Mixed Berry Blend.

The recall is an expansion of actions that began July 3 and were expanded in September. The company said the latest action is being taken as a precaution after traceback information linked the products to frozen blueberries involved in the original recall.

Products included in the recall

The FDA says consumers should look for the following products:

• Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 ounces

  • UPC: 7874211226

  • Lot codes: 6 031 01 and 6 041 01

  • Best if used by: Jan. 31, 2028, and Feb. 10, 2028

• Great Value Organic Blueberries, 10 ounces

  • UPC: 7874211213

  • Lot codes: 6 019 01, 6 040 01 and 6 163 01

  • Best if used by: Jan. 19, 2028; Feb. 9, 2028; and June 12, 2028

• Trader Joes Organic Mixed Berry Blend, 12 ounces

  • UPC: 00977654

  • Lot code: 6 051 01

  • Best before: Feb. 20, 2028

The Great Value products were distributed to select Walmart stores in 30 states, as well as Puerto Rico. The Trader Joes product was distributed to stores in 26 states and the District of Columbia. Virginia is among the states where both brands were distributed.

Why E. coli O145 can be dangerous

The potential contaminant is E. coli O145, a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC.

Infection can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be bloody. Most healthy people recover within about a week, but some infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a serious condition that can result in kidney failure.

Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of serious complications.

What consumers should do

Because frozen fruit can remain in household freezers for months or even years, consumers should check packages even if they don't remember purchasing the berries recently.

Anyone who has one of the recalled products should not eat it. The FDA says consumers should discard the berries or return them to Walmart or Trader Joes for a full refund.

The Chilean supplier said it is working with regulators and its customers on the recall. Consumers with questions can contact the company at 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.