J&J’s Tainted Cough Syrup Was Sold in Six African Countries
- Benylin syrup contains unsafe levels of toxic solvent
- South African regulators identify additional batch affected
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The Johnson & Johnson-made children’s cough syrup found to contain unsafe levels of a toxic industrial solvent was sold in six African countries, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority said on Saturday.
In addition to South Africa, where it was manufactured, tainted Benylin Paediatric Syrup was sold in Eswatini, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria, SAHPRA said in a statement. Regulators have determined that two batches of syrup were contaminated, both of which are being recalled, the statement said. Earlier, Nigerian authorities had flagged unsafe levels of diethylene glycol in just one batch, made in May 2021.