Johnson & Johnson recalls all Rolaids for wood and metal particles

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/business/10recall.html

Millions Of Rolaids Recalled
By NATASHA SINGER

Rolaids are supposed to spell “relief.” But for Johnson & Johnson on Thursday, the popular antacid drug spelled heartburn. A Johnson & Johnson unit, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, announced a nationwide recall of all lots — more than 13 million packages — of the soft chewable versions of Rolaids after reports of consumers finding metal and wood particles in the products.

McNeil has been beset by manufacturing deficiencies over the last year, which has led to a series of recalls of some of the country’s most popular over-the-counter brands, including a recall in April of an estimated 136 million bottles of liquid children’s Tylenol and other pediatric products.

Although McNeil said early this year that it was instituting a comprehensive plan to improve its manufacturing and quality control systems — including the temporary closure of a plant in Pennsylvania for an upgrade — some manufacturing problems have continued. The foreign particles found in the Rolaids were potentially introduced during production at a third-party manufacturer, McNeil said in a statement. McNeil declined to identify the manufacturer.

The recall involves all lots of Rolaids Extra Strength Softchews, all lots of Rolaids Extra Strength Plus Gas Softchews, and Rolaids Multi-Symptom Plus Anti-Gas Softchews sold in the United States. While the risk of health problems is remote, McNeil said consumers should stop using the Rolaids involved. ...

*Adds a dietary insignificant amount of fiber.