Nationwide Recall Issued for Cough Drops Due to Manufacturing Concerns-Here's What to Know

Despite the fact that fall and winter are peak cold and flu season, anyone with seasonal allergies knows that there's no stopping a runny nose. Even if you do somehow make it through the winter unscathed, as soon as the pollen starts blanketing everything, you'll probably need to keep a steady supply of tissues and cough drops on hand just in case you make the amateur mistake of going outside and actually inhaling. It's an unfortunate reality for a lot of us, but at the very least, we can rely on our trusty cocktail of antihistamines, Kleenex, and cough suppressants to help us make it through the season-right?

Well, kind of. For the most part, our go-to regimen of loading up on vitamin C, keeping a pack of tissues nearby at all times, and trying our hardest not to breathe too hard outside is exactly what we need to keep the sniffles and subsequent coughs at bay. But if you tend to reach for a cough drop to help soothe your throat and open up your nasal passages so that you can actually breathe outside, you might want to think twice before popping one into your mouth due to a recently issued recall affecting cough drops sold nationwide.

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Voluntary Recall Issued for Cough Drops Sold Nationwide

According to a recent FDA filing, China-based Xiamen Kang Zhongyuan Biotechnology Co. issued a voluntary recall of 15 cough drop products across five of its brands due to concerns about the manufacturing process. The lengthy list includes:

• Exchange Select brand, Menthol Cough Suppressant Oral Anesthetic, Honey Lemon Flavor Cough Drops, 30-count bag. Lot number: 20241030, Expiration date: 10/30/2026, UPC: 614299398870
• Exchange Select brand, Menthol Cough Suppressant Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Menthol Flavor, 30-count bag. Lot number: 20241030, Expiration date: 10/30/2026, UPC: 614299398887
• Caring Mill brand, Menthol Cough Suppressant Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Cherry, 90-count bag. Lot number: 20241030, Expiration date: 10/30/2026, UPC: 810025928407
• Discount Drug Mart Food Market brand, Cough Drops, Menthol Cough Suppressant Anesthetic, Honey Lemon, 30-count bag. Lot number: 20241030, Expiration date: 10/30/2026, UPC: 093351037092
• Discount Drug Mart Food Market brand, Cough Drops, Menthol Cough Suppressant Anesthetic, 30-count bag. Lot number: 20241030, Expiration date: 10/30/2026, UPC: 093351037085
• MGC Health brand, Menthol Cough Suppressant, Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Sugar Free, Honey Lemon, 25-count bag, distributed by Medical Group Care, LLC. Lot number: 20240524, Expiration date: 05/24/2026; Lot number: 20240720, Expiration date: 07/20/2026; Lot number: 20240730, Expiration date: 07/30/2026, UPC: 383173000085
• MGC Health brand, Menthol Cough Suppressant, Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Honey Lemon, 30-count bag. Lot number: 20240524, Expiration date: 05/24/2026, UPC: 383173000047
• MGC Health brand, Menthol-Cough Suppressant, Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Honey Lemon, 80-count bag. Lot number 20240730, Expiration date: 07/30/2026, UPC: 383173000030.
• QC Quality Choice brand, Menthol-Cough Suppressant Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Sugar Free, Black Cherry Flavor, 25-count bag. Lot number: 20240720, Expiration date: 07/20/2026, UPC: 635515993372.
• QC Quality Choice brand, Menthol-Cough Suppressant Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Cherry Flavor, 30-count bag. Lot number: 20240524, Expiration date: 05/24/2026; Lot number: 20240720, Expiration date: 07/20/2026, UPC: 635515993372.
• QC Quality Choice brand, Menthol-Cough Suppressant Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Sugar Free, Honey Lemon Flavor, 25-count bag. Lot number 20240720, Expiration date: 07/20/2026; Lot number 20241030, Expiration date: 10/30/2026, UPC: 635515993372.
• QC Quality Choice brand, Pectin Oral Demulcent, Throat Soothing Drops, Creamy Strawberry Flavor, 30-count bag, distributed by CDMA, Inc. Lot number: 20240720, Expiration date: 07/20/2026, UPC: 635515999398.
• QC Quality Choice brand, Menthol Cough Suppressant Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Honey Lemon Flavor, 30-count bag. Lot number: 20240720, Expiration date: 07/20/2026, UPC: 63551598673.
• QC Quality Choice brand, Menthol Cough Suppressant Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Menthol Flavor, 30-count bag. Lot number: 20240720, Expiration date: 07/20/2026; Lot number: 20240524, Expiration date: 05/24/2026, UPC: 635515986718
• QC Quality Choice brand, Menthol Cough Suppressant Oral Anesthetic, Cough Drops, Vanilla Honey Flavor, 30-count bag. Lot number: 20240720, Expiration date: 07/20/2026, UPC: 635515999411

Related: Immediate Recall Issued on This Popular Pantry Staple for a Very Serious Reason

Oddly, the filing is relatively vague about the actual reason for the recall and simply cites that the FDA made "certain observations" that led to its recall recommendation. It's also worth noting that, to date, no sickness or adverse reactions have been reported. Currently, the recall is scheduled as a Class II, which the agency defines as "a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."

What to Do If You Have Recalled Cough Drops

While the best course of action if you have any of the affected brands or products is to stop taking them and throw them away, because the recall is scheduled as a Class II, according to the FDA, you can generally continue taking the medicine unless the recalling company provides other instructions. Personally, we'll look for an alternative. Or, you know, just seal ourselves inside a bubble until peak pollen season is over. To find out more about the recall, visit the FDA's website.

Related: Popular Convenience Store Chain Recalls Several Bottled Beverages Over Allergen Concern

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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 12:45 PM.