Recalls

Publix, Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, 26 other laxative brands recalled for contamination

The recall of a laxative sold as CVS’ store brand has been expanded to 30 brands of laxatives, including the store brands of Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, Publix, H-E-B, Rite Aid, Rexall and others. The problem is a microbial contamination.

READ MORE: A contamination that can be ‘life-threatening’ gets a drug recalled from CVS, Navarro

Vi-Jon pulled one lot of CVS Magnesium Citrate Laxative Oral Solution Lemon Flavor from CVS and Navarro stores in June after testing requested by CVS found Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens.

The risk statement in the recall notice, written by Vi-Jon and posted by the FDA, says, “Immunocompromised patients who consume this product may be at increased risk for invasive infections caused by Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens that could lead to serious, life-threatening adverse health consequences.”

Also, the risk statement admits Vi-Jon knows of one “adverse reaction” related to the recall. Combined with Vi-Jon’s own testing finding the contamination, that was enough for Vi-Jon to recall all lots of the following brands of Magnesium Citrate Laxative Oral Solution Lemon Flavor; all sold in 10-ounce bottles.

What brands of the laxative have been recalled?

Best Choice

Care One, sold at Food Lion, Giant, Stop & Shop and Hannaford stores.

Label for Care One Magnesium Citrate laxative
Label for Care One Magnesium Citrate laxative FDA

Cariba

Cariba Care Magnesium Citrate laxative, distributed out of Safety Harbor, Florida
Cariba Care Magnesium Citrate laxative, distributed out of Safety Harbor, Florida National Drug Codes List

Cruz Blanc

CVS, also sold at Navarro Pharmacy.

The deconstructed box of recalled CVS Health Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution Lemon Flavor
The deconstructed box of recalled CVS Health Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution Lemon Flavor FDA

Discount Drug Mart

Label for Discount Drug Mart Magnesium Citrate
Label for Discount Drug Mart Magnesium Citrate FDA

Equaline

Equate, Walmart’s store brand.

Walmart’s Equate Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative
Walmart’s Equate Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative FDA

Exchange Select, used in the military exchange system.

Family Wellness, sold in Family Dollar stores.

Family Wellness Magnesium Citrate, sold at Family Dollar, which is owned by Dollar Tree
Family Wellness Magnesium Citrate, sold at Family Dollar, which is owned by Dollar Tree National Drug Codes List

Good Sense

Harris Teeter

H-E-B

H-E-B’s Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Lemon Flavor
H-E-B’s Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Lemon Flavor National Drug Codes List

Health Mart

Kroger

Kroger Magnesium Citrate laxative
Kroger Magnesium Citrate laxative National Drug Codes List

Leader

Major

Meijer

Meijer Magnesium Citrate laxative
Meijer Magnesium Citrate laxative National Drug Codes List

Premier Value

Publix

Publix brand Magnesium Citrate laxative
Publix brand Magnesium Citrate laxative National Drug Codes List

Quality Choice

Rexall

Rite Aid

Signature Care, store brand for Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market and Carrs.

Signature Care Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Lemon Flavor
Signature Care Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Lemon Flavor National Drug Codes List

Sound Body, store brand for Big Lots.

Sunmark

Swan

Swan brand Magnesium Citrate laxative
Swan brand Magnesium Citrate laxative FDA

Topcare

Up&Up, a Target store brand.

Target’s Up&Up brand of Magnesium Citrate laxative
Target’s Up&Up brand of Magnesium Citrate laxative National Drug Codes List

Walgreens

Walgreens Magnesium Citrate laxative
Walgreens Magnesium Citrate laxative National Drug Codes List

What should you do now?

If you have this laxative, return it to the store for a refund.

If you have questions about the recall, contact Vi-Jon by e-mailing Recalls@Vijon.com, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern time.

If this or any drug causes a problem, after notifying a medical professional let the FDA know via its MedWatch Adverse Event page or by filling out a form you can get by calling 800-332-1088. Then notify the manufacturer.

This story was originally published July 18, 2022 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Publix, Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, 26 other laxative brands recalled for contamination."

David J. Neal
Miami Herald
Since 1989, David J. Neal’s domain at the Miami Herald has expanded to include writing about Panthers (NHL and FIU), Dolphins, old school animation, food safety, fraud, naughty lawyers, bad doctors and all manner of breaking news. He drinks coladas whole. He does not work Indianapolis 500 Race Day.
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