Common Over-The-Counter Medication Recalled Over Potentially Deadly Contaminant

According to a notice shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, four lots of cetirizine hydrochloride tablets have been voluntarily recalled by Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories over the cross-contamination.

Cetirizine hydrochloride is used to treat common allergy symptoms, like sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose or throat, or irritated eyes, Medline Plus explains.

The tablets were believed to have been cross-contaminated with ranitidine. Because the antihistamine can block the release of stomach fluids, it’s frequently used for those with ulcers or heartburn, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

However, some consumers may be hypersensitive to the ingredients in ranitidine, the recall notice explains. They may experience “serious adverse events, including severe hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis.” This could lead to low blood pressure, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling in the throat and face, itchy skin, hives, or even loss of consciousness, “which are all life-threatening.”

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Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories (A Div. of J. B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg Due to Potential Cross Contamination with Ranitidine https://t.co/KQG3pxILWS pic.twitter.com/gjpFZuRjCL

— U.S. FDA Recalls (@FDArecalls) July 20, 2026

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To clarify, this false-positive lab sample DOES NOT change the basis for FDA’s ongoing outbreak investigation or the overwhelming epidemiological data supporting the current voluntary recall by Taylor Farms.

Over the weekend, FDA alerted Taylor Farms that a new sample of… https://t.co/hedRwhPLd8

— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) July 20, 2026

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To clarify, this false-positive lab sample DOES NOT change the basis for FDA’s ongoing outbreak investigation or the overwhelming epidemiological data supporting the current voluntary recall by Taylor Farms.

Over the weekend, FDA alerted Taylor Farms that a new sample of shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico tested positive for Cyclospora during import examination at the Southern Border. This ended up being a false positive, and Taylor Farms was alerted to the corrective test result Sunday.

FDA’s traceback investigation and outbreak data continue to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms locations in central Mexico. FDA will continue to work with federal and state partners to investigate this multistate outbreak and ensure products implicated in this outbreak have been removed from the market.

Protecting the American public remains our highest priority. We encourage the public to continue to avoid all products listed in Taylor Farms’ voluntary recall.

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A pharmacy technician reportedly discovered the issue, noting a red dot on the cetirizine hydrochloride tablets and others that were discolored.

There have been no reported adverse incidents reported as a result of the medication, the recall notice says.

The recalled medication was distributed in 100-tablet bottles nationwide by Rising Pharma Holdings Inc.

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