This Kids’ Cough Syrup Was Recalled. These Are the Foodborne Illness Symptoms It Can Cause

On Wednesday, the FDA reported that five lots of Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup, a 100% natural children’s cough medicine for ages 1 and up, were voluntarily recalled by Medtech Products. The kids’ cough syrup was found to be contaminated by Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can cause two types of foodborne illnesses.

The five affected lots were distributed in the US both online and in retail stores from Dec. 14, 2022, to June 4, 2025. The lot numbers are 0039, 0545, 0640, 0450 and 1198, while the affected expiration dates extend to December 2026. 

The FDA reports that “no serious adverse events have been reported to date.”

What to do if you bought Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup

If you purchased a Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup that has been recalled, stop using it immediately. If your child has experienced any issues that may be related to this product, contact their doctor. For reimbursement, you can email Medtech at [email protected], contact the company via its website or call (800) 754-8853, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.

Any reactions or quality issues can be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. 

What foodborne illness symptoms can it cause?

The FDA reports that Bacillus cereus, or B. cereus, is a bacterium that can cause two types of foodborne illnesses. 

The first type can start 1 to 6 hours after consumption of the contaminated food or drink. Symptoms include stomach cramps, vomiting and nausea. 

The second type of foodborne illness caused by Bacillus cereus can occur 8 to 16 hours after consumption. Its symptoms are diarrhea and stomach cramps. 

“Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term illness, exposure to high levels of foodborne B. cereus can cause death,” the FDA said. 

If your child is demonstrating any of these symptoms related to the consumption of Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup, contact their doctor immediately.