DALLAS, September 4, 2012 - Kimberly-Clark Corporation
(NYSE:KMB) today issued a consumer advisory, as a result of
suspected criminal activity, regarding a number of defective lots
of Kotex Natural Balance* Security® Tampons that may pose public
health risks to consumers. While the health risk to consumers is
low, some of these tampons have:
- increased levels of bacteria;
- presence of metallic particles; or
- imperfect raw materials.
These products were stolen and fraudulently distributed between
October 1, 2011, and June 28, 2012. Distribution locations are
unknown at this time. The affected lot codes listed below can be
found in the red box located on the bottom of the carton (view a
sample).
View
impacted lot code list (PDF). View images of
impacted product packages (PDF).
To date, K-C has received no reports of consumer complaints
regarding health issues with the product in question. However, the
company is encouraging all consumers to check their Kotex Natural
Balance* Security® Tampon cartons for any of the above lot
codes.
The company is strongly advising consumers that all products
with these lots codes should be considered unsafe and not fit for
use. Because the cases have left K-C's authorized supply chain, the
company has no knowledge of the product's current condition.
As always, K-C recommends that any consumer experiencing health
concerns regarding the use of tampons should immediately cease
using the product and contact their physician. Consumers should
contact K-C at 877-485-6839 for instructions on where to send the
impacted products in return for a full refund. K-C service
representatives will be available seven days a week from 7 am to 7
pm Central Time. Consumers can also get information by visiting www.kotex.com or www.kimberly-clark.com.
As part of K-C's ongoing brand and consumer protection
activities, the company determined that some of the products
scheduled for destruction between October 2011 and June 2012 have
been offered for sale. An investigation into this activity is
ongoing and now involves the criminal investigation division of the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). K-C, in conjunction with the
FDA, is continuing efforts to recover the impacted tampons.
K-C and the FDA are asking for the public's help in reporting
any information regarding this situation to the FDA's Office of
Criminal Investigations by calling 800-521-5783 or by visiting www.fda.gov/OCI.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use
of this product may be reported to the FDA:
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an
indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries.
Every day, nearly a quarter of the world's population trust K-C's
brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health,
hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott,
Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1
or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with
the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company's 140-year
history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com, or
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