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This Kids' Cough Syrup Was Recalled. These Are the Symptoms It Can Cause

Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup, a children's cough syrup, was recalled because of microbial contamination and loss of shelf-stability.

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Headshot of Anna Gragert
Anna Gragert Senior Editor, Health and Home
Anna Gragert (she/her/hers) was previously the lifestyle editor at HelloGiggles, the deputy editor at So Yummy and the senior lifestyle editor at Hunker. Over the past 12 years, Anna has also written for the LA Times, Elle, Bust Magazine, Dazed, Apartment Therapy, Well+Good and more. At CNET, she's a senior editor on the Healthy Home team, and her coverage includes health, wellness tech, meal kits and home and kitchen tech with a focus on the technology that aims to help us live our healthiest, happiest lives.
Expertise Health and wellness tech, meal kits, home and kitchen tech, food, mental health
Anna Gragert
2 min read
Red cough syrup being poured out of an amber bottle into a small measuring cut on a dark grey surface.
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The US Food and Drug Administration reported Wednesday that five lots of Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup, a 100% natural children's cough medicine for ages 1 and up, were voluntarily recalled by Medtech Products. The kids' cough syrup was found to be contaminated by Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can cause two types of foodborne illnesses.

The five affected lots were distributed in the US both online and in retail stores from Dec. 14, 2022, to June 4, 2025. The lot numbers are 0039, 0545, 0640, 0450 and 1198, while the affected expiration dates extend to December 2026. 

The FDA reports that "no serious adverse events have been reported to date."

The Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup product packaging.

This cough syrup contains three ingredients: honey, purified water and a natural preservative.

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What to do if you bought Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup

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If you purchased a Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup that has been recalled, stop using it immediately. If your child has experienced any issues that may be related to this product, contact their doctor. For reimbursement, you can email Medtech at medicalaffairs@prestigebrands.com, contact the company via its website or call 800-754-8853, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.

Any reactions or quality issues can be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. 

What foodborne illness symptoms can it cause?

The FDA reports that Bacillus cereus, or B. cereus, is a bacterium that can cause two types of foodborne illnesses. 

The first type can start 1 to 6 hours after consumption of the contaminated food or drink. Symptoms include stomach cramps, vomiting and nausea. 

The second type of foodborne illness caused by Bacillus cereus can occur 8 to 16 hours after consumption. Its symptoms are diarrhea and stomach cramps. 

"Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term illness, exposure to high levels of foodborne B. cereus can cause death," the FDA said. 

If your child is demonstrating any of these symptoms related to the consumption of Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup, contact their doctor immediately. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.