Little Remedies Recalls Honey Cough Syrup Over Bacillus Contamination Risk

• Issued: June 17, 2025
• Announced by: U.S. FDA on June 18, 2025
• Company: Medtech Products Inc., a Prestige Consumer Healthcare company
• Product: Little Remedies® Honey Cough Syrup (4 FL OZ)
• Issue: Potential contamination with Bacillus cereus and shelf-stability failure
• Lots affected: 5 specific lots with expiration dates ranging from 11/2025 to 12/2026
• Risk: Illness including vomiting, cramps, diarrhea—severe in high doses
• Action: Stop use, contact physician, request reimbursement

Shall we learn more about this?

What Happened?

Medtech Products Inc. is recalling five lots of Little Remedies® Honey Cough Syrup after discovering microbial contamination with Bacillus cereus, a sneaky little bacteria that turns sweet relief into a potential health risk. The issue was identified through internal quality checks, which also revealed the product may lose shelf stability—meaning it may spoil faster than expected.

The recall, announced on June 17, 2025, applies to 4 FL OZ (118 mL) bottles distributed nationwide, both in physical stores and online, from December 2022 to June 2025.

Here’s a breakdown of the affected syrup:

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best By	Issue
Little Remedies	Honey Cough Syrup	4 FL OZ	7-56184-10737-9	11/2025 01/2026 02/2026 05/2026 12/2026	Bacillus cereus contamination

What Caused the Issue?

This recall is all about a not-so-sweet surprise: Bacillus cereus—a bacteria that can thrive in improperly stored or preserved food and beverages. Medtech discovered both potential microbial contamination and a loss of shelf stability, meaning the syrup might spoil faster than it should, increasing the chances of bacterial growth.

What exactly is Bacillus cereus?

It’s a spore-forming bacteria found in soil, dust, and food processing environments. It survives cooking and pasteurization and can multiply rapidly if products aren’t preserved properly or are left at the wrong temperature.

It causes two types of foodborne illnesses:

• Emetic (vomiting) type: Usually caused by toxin-producing strains in improperly stored food. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps kick in within 1 to 6 hours.
  
• Diarrheal type: Caused by ingesting high levels of bacteria. Symptoms like watery diarrhea, cramps, and sometimes mild fever occur within 8 to 16 hours.

Why is shelf-stability failure a big deal?

Shelf-stability means a product can be safely stored at room temperature over time without spoiling. If that stability fails:

• The product might spoil prematurely
• Bacteria like B. cereus may multiply over time
• It poses a greater risk for infants, children, elderly adults, and immunocompromised individuals—those often using OTC products like Little Remedies

Who’s at risk?

While healthy adults may only experience temporary symptoms, vulnerable consumers could face more serious outcomes:

• Dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting
• Prolonged illness in kids
• Hospitalization in severe cases or those with weakened immunity

No serious illnesses have been reported so far—but with microbial issues, it’s always better to play it safe.

10 Customer Questions You Might Have

1. Q: Can I still use the syrup if it smells or looks normal?
   A: Nope! B. cereus contamination may not affect smell, taste, or appearance. Don’t risk it—if it’s on the list, toss it.
   
2. Q: What are the symptoms of Bacillus cereus?
   A: Either nausea and vomiting (within 6 hours) or diarrhea and cramps (8–16 hours). Sometimes both.
   
3. Q: My child already took the syrup—what should I do?
   A: Monitor for symptoms. If they show signs of illness, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
   
4. Q: Can this bacteria be fatal?
   A: In rare cases with high exposure or in vulnerable individuals, yes. Most people experience short-term illness.
   
5. Q: Is this related to refrigeration?
   A: Not directly. But if the product isn’t shelf-stable, improper room-temperature storage increases risk.
   
6. Q: How do I check if my bottle is affected?
   A: Look for the lot number and expiration date on the bottle and carton—compare it to the recall table above.
   
7. Q: Are other Little Remedies® products safe?
   A: Yes, the recall only affects the five specific lots of Honey Cough Syrup listed.
   
8. Q: Can I return the product?
   A: You can request reimbursement from Medtech. Contact them via email at [email protected] or call (800) 754-8853.
   
9. Q: I bought it online—am I still affected?
   A: Yes. These lots were sold nationwide, including via online retailers.
   
10. Q: How do I report an illness to the FDA?
    A: Visit the FDA MedWatch site to file a report online or request a form by calling 1-800-332-1088.

Here’s What You Should Do

If you’ve got a sticky bottle of this honey cough syrup hiding in your cabinet:

• Stop using it immediately
• Check the bottom of the carton and bottle label for the lot number
• Contact Medtech for a full refund or questions at:
  • [email protected]
  • (800) 754-8853 (Mon–Fri, 8:30–5:30 ET)
• Report symptoms to your healthcare provider or file a report through the FDA’s MedWatch program

Here’s Behind the Brand

Medtech Products Inc., under Prestige Consumer Healthcare, is a familiar name in over-the-counter relief—especially for parents looking to ease little coughs. While this recall may surprise loyal customers, it’s not the first instance of Bacillus cereus showing up in recent memory.

Last food recalls that occurred this month, include:

• On June 17, 2025, FreshRealm recalled its Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo products after FSIS linked them to a multi-state Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. 
• On June 13, 2025, Fuentes Farms LLC issued a voluntary recall of 71 boxes of fresh cucumbers over concerns that they may be contaminated with Salmonella, a bacterium known to cause foodborne illness.
• On June 13, 2025, Meijer voluntarily recalled select packages of Frederik’s Dark Chocolate Almonds after discovering a nutty mix-up: some almond pouches actually contain dark chocolate-covered cashews.
• On May 6, 2025, GBC Food Services issued a recall on two of its ready-to-eat snack cups due to the presence of plastic foreign material.

“Contamination like this isn’t just a small mistake—it’s a clear reminder that strong packaging protocols and routine equipment inspections are essential,” says Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.

Ensuring Safe Eats

Recalls like this remind us just how critical manufacturing controls, ingredient traceability, and microbial testing are—especially for products targeting vulnerable consumers like children. A single lapse in formulation, packaging, or testing can ripple through the supply chain and end up on a family’s kitchen shelf.

Brands must step up their quality assurance protocols to prevent issues like:

• Microbial contamination
• Inaccurate shelf-life assessments
• Improper storage or transport temperatures

And for buyers, importers, and manufacturers? Now’s the time to double-check supplier certifications, strengthen recall communication systems, and build a recall checklist that keeps your brand trusted and safe.

Have questions about sourcing verified, safe bulk ingredients? Talk to our team at Source86—we’re here to help you stay proactive and protected.