Check Your Medicine Cabinet: 3 Million Eye Drop Bottles Recalled at Walgreens and Kroger

K.C. Pharmaceuticals company is voluntarily pulling millions of eye drop products from shelves over concerns they may not be sterile.

BY AMAYA NICHOLE, NEWS WRITER

An enforcement report by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has prompted a recall of more than 3 million bottles of eye drops from a California pharmaceutical company over concerns the products may not be sterile.

K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is voluntarily recalling various eye drop products distributed nationwide, citing a “lack of assurance of sterility.”

The recall, initiated on March 3 and classified on March 31, falls under the FDA’s “Class II” designation. This means the products are not confirmed to be contaminated, but the manufacturer cannot guarantee they consistently meet the sterility standards needed to prevent infection-causing microbes.

Exposure to the product could cause temporary or reversible health problems and the FDA also reports that the eye drops were distributed by companies such as Kroger, Walgreens, H-E-B, Military Exchanges, and other pharmaceutical carriers.

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Eye Drops Included in the Recall:

The recall spans eight eye drop products, sold across multiple brands and distributors.

Eye Drops Advanced Relief

Dry Eye Relief Eye Drops

Ultra Lubricating Eye Drops

Sterile Eye Drops Original Formula

Sterile Eye Drops Redness Lubricant

Sterile Eye Drops Soothing Tears

Artificial Tears Sterile Lubricant Eye Drops

In total, over 3 million bottles were affected.

Many of the eyedrops can be identified through their Universal Product Code or National Drug Code numbers, which are typically found near the barcode on the bottle.

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