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November 16, 2011

Women using certain Kotex Natural Balance* Security® Unscented Tampons may be at risk of developing life-threatening infections because the tampons are contaminated with a bacterium.

According to a press release on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, raw materials used in the manufacturing of the tampons contained a bacterium called Enterobacter sakazakii.

Enterobacter sakazakii is generally associated with illness and high mortality rates in infants exposed to the bacterium via contaminated powdered infant formula.

In woman using tampons contaminated with the bacterium, it can cause vaginal and urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic inflammatory disease or other life-threatening infection. Women who have a serious illness, cancer, or a compromised immune system are at increased risk.

Manufacturer Kimberly-Clark distributed these tampons to certain:

  • Walmart stores in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas
  • Fry’s stores in Arizona
  • Smith’s stores in Utah and Arizona

Women can identify the recalled product by the last five digits of the UPC code and the lot number inside the red box on the bottom of the package.

Kimberly-Clark Kotex Natural Balance* Security® Regular Unscented Tampons

Carton Lot Number

Carton Count

Last Five Digits of UPC

AC129321X

18 Count

15063

AC129325X

36 Count

15068

AC129321X

18 Count

15063

AC129325X

36 Count

15068

AC129321X

18 Count

15063

AC129325X

36 Count

15068

AC129321X

18 Count

15063

AC129325X

36Count

15068

AC129321X

18 Count

15063

AC129325X

36 Count

15068

AC129321X

18 Count

15063

AC129325X

36 Count

15068

AC129321X

18 Count

15063

AC129325X

36 Count

15068

Women should immediately stop using the regular absorbency Kotex Natural Balance* Security® Unscented Tampons above and contact their doctor if they experience symptoms of infections, including fever, headache, rash, vomiting, abdominal pain or unusual vaginal discharge. It is especially important that women who may be pregnant, have HIV or other serious illness seek medical attention if they may have contracted an Enterobacter sakazakii infection from this product.

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