Several UK retailers have been forced to recall batches of cold and flu capsules due to a mistake on the packaging that overstated the safe maximum daily dose for children.
The capsules are made by Wrafton Laboratories, trading as Perrigo and are sold by Wilkinsons, Spar, Waitrose, Aldi, Asda, Superdrug, Sainsbury’s, Lloyds, Morrisons, Boots and Tesco.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which issued the recall, said the risk to consumers is low.
The incorrect labelling advises that children aged 12 to 15 can take a maximum of up to 12 capsules (3.6g of paracetamol per day) in a 24 hour period.
But it should have said the maximum daily dose should be eight capsules per day (2.4g), which is slightly lower than the MHRA’s recommendation – that children in this age group should take 3g of paracetamol in a day at most.
Each pack has 16 capsules, which provides two days of treatment at the maximum dose.
The MHRA said Wrafton Laboratories is correcting the error and its products have been taken off shelves until it has been resolved.
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MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: “I want to reassure people that while this recall is aimed at retail level only, patient safety is at the centre of all our decision-making.
“If you or your child are aged 12 to 15, have recently used these capsules and have not experienced any side-effects, there is no cause for concern.
“If you currently have one of these packets at home, please take note of the corrected dose in this age group and talk to your pharmacist if you are unsure of these changes.”