Cold and Flu Medicine Recall Sparks Warning in 20 States

LNK International Inc. is recalling Kirkland Signature Severe Cold and Flu Plus Congestion medicine over fears of potential contamination of foreign materials.

Newsweek reached out to LNK International Inc. via email for comment on Thursday afternoon.

Why It Matters

The medicine was sold at Costco stores in their Midwest and Southeast regional locations. The medicine was sold between October 30, 2024, and November 30, 2024. LNK International Inc. says it initiated the recall after the "accidental release and shipment" of units that were rejected.

The voluntary recall comes amidst flu season in the United States. "Flu activity" peaks in December, January, and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A pharmacist sells medication to a customer in Valence, France, on December 4, 2024. Flu and cold medicine sold at Costco has been recalled by its manufacturer. NICOLAS GUYONNET/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

What To Know

The stores in the affected Costco regions are located in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The impacted product has a lot code number of P140082, the LNK International Inc. notice says. The January 2 notice signed by LNK International Inc. Regulatory Compliance Manager Sandy Brite included a photo of the impacted product for customers to reference.

What People Are Saying

LNK International Inc., in its notice: "Out of an abundance of caution, LNK has initiated a recall for the accidental release and shipment of a specific lot code
that was rejected due to potential foreign material contamination."

"Do not use any remaining product marked with the above lot code; return the item to your local Costco for a full refund. Please call LNK International Inc. at 1-800-426-9391 or email complaints-inquiries@lnkintl.com, if you have any issues or concerns."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's weekly flu surveillance report: The week ending December 21, 2024, showed a 12 percent uptick in positive flu reports. There was also a nearly five percent uptick in people visiting health care facilities for respiratory illnesses.

There were over 12,000 people admitted to the hospital with the flu that week, and data shows there were five "influenza-associated deaths," bringing the total for the season to nine, the CDC says. The CDC also noted in the report that "seasonal influenza activity continues to increase across the country."

CDC Flu on X, formerly Twitter: "U.S. flu vaccine manufacturers project that they will supply nearly 150 million doses of flu vaccine for the 2024-2025 flu season, all of which will protect against three influenza viruses."

What Happens Next

It is immediately unclear if any illnesses or injuries related to the medication recall have been reported.