The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a critical recall of 15 pharmaceutical syrup products for children after they were found to be contaminated with the toxic substance, ethylene glycol. In an announcement on Saturday, FDA Secretary-General Dr. Narong Apikulvanich revealed that multiple samples of children’s pharmaceutical syrups were sent to the Department of Medical Sciences for extensive safety tests.
To the FDA’s dismay, the tests uncovered that 31 batches from 15 different products harbored unsafe levels of ethylene glycol. This shocking revelation compelled the FDA to order an immediate recall of these products from the market to safeguard public health.
Dr. Narong urged consumers to remain calm despite the alarming news. He emphasized that the harmful effects would only manifest if someone ingested a whopping 500 or more bottles of the contaminated syrups—an unlikely scenario. Nevertheless, he advised that consumers should seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or stomachaches.
Ethylene glycol is notorious for its sweet taste, but despite this deceptive flavor, it is highly toxic and unfit for consumption. It’s typically found in more industrial applications, such as the production of polyester fiber, far from any kitchen or medicine cabinet.
The list of recalled products includes:
- Carbosol Syrup
- Startec Syrup
- Parastar Suspension
- Fatec Syrup
- Cetaphen Syrup
- Co-trimoxazole Mixture
- Kressbufen Suspension
- Domperstar Suspension
- Kresstrim Suspension
- Kresscolet Syrup
- Kresstec Syrup
- Kressbroxol Syrup
- Startifen Syrup
- Ibustar Suspension
- Domperkress Syrup
For those who value the safety of their little ones, this recall notice is of paramount importance. While the FDA works diligently to remove these hazardous products from store shelves, it’s crucial for parents and caregivers to check their medicine cabinets and dispose of any affected syrups immediately.
This situation serves as a poignant reminder of the rigorous safety checks that go into ensuring the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical products. Yet, it also highlights how even the most stringent systems can sometimes be fallible.
Stay vigilant, inform others, and remember: when in doubt, always consult your healthcare provider.
This is horrifying. How could something like ethylene glycol end up in children’s syrup?
Probably because some companies care more about profits than safety.
It’s not necessarily about profit. It could be contamination during manufacturing or even a supply chain issue.
Still, it’s unacceptable. Our children’s safety should always come first.
Ethylene glycol is used in antifreeze! Why was this in medicine at all?
It’s not supposed to be! It’s a clear case of contamination.
Yes, but even so, quality control should have caught this before it reached the market.
Exactly. This points to a systemic failure. Heads should roll.
Should we really panic though? The article says you need to ingest 500 bottles for it to be harmful.
Ethylene glycol is toxic at much lower doses; that’s just the lethal dose estimation.
Oh, I didn’t know that. That’s really alarming then.
Yep, better safe than sorry. Dispose of any affected products immediately.
Has anyone considered how this will affect small pharmacies and their trust with customers?
Absolutely. Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose.
This is why I stick to natural remedies. Modern medicine is full of this crap.
Conspiracy? Population control through contaminated drugs? Just saying.
That’s a bit far-fetched. It’s more likely a case of negligence or error.
You never know, man. Always keep an open mind.
I’m skeptical. Why would they release this info and cause a panic if it’s not that harmful?
What about the long-term effects? Even small doses of ethylene glycol can be harmful.
Exactly, I’m worried about what tiny exposures might do over time.
Recall of 15 products is huge. Makes you question other products out there too.
If they knew about this earlier, why are they just doing the recall now?
Probably because testing takes time and they wanted conclusive results.
I think someone should be held accountable for this, maybe even criminal charges.
How do we know other countries don’t have the same contamination? This could be global!
Good point. We rely on international checks, but sometimes things slip through the cracks.
As a physician, I recommend parents double-check all medicine labels and stay informed.
People should know that even trace amounts of ethylene glycol can cause metabolic acidosis.