See What’s Possible in Life Sciences Packaging @ PACK EXPO International
2,600 exhibitors. 150+ free educational sessions. See packaging solutions for life sciences & more @ PACK EXPO International, Oct 18-21 in Chicago
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

Create a free Healthcare Packaging account to continue reading

Tylenol recall points to pallets

Trace amounts of a chemical that treats wooden pallets used to transport and store the drug's packaging shoulders the blame, according to one source.

Hp 19135 I Stock Wood Pallets
Packaging took a punch to the gut during the holiday season when television news reports noted that some consumers had reported a “musty” smell and gastrointestinal problems from McNeil Consumer Healthcare's Tylenol Arthritis Pain caplets.

In-Pharma Technologist.com reports that McNeil has recalled all lots of 100-count bottles, attributing the odor to “trace amounts of 2,4,6-tribromoanisole, a chemical used to treat the wooden pallets that transport and store the drug's packaging.”

On its Tylenol Web site, McNeil points out that it is implementing the recall as a precaution. The site provides refund/replacement, and further information.

Last September, the company announced a voluntary recall of certain children and infant Tylenol products due to possible contamination of one of the ingredients used to make the drug.

McNeil's precautionary recalls are understandable, and it's the media's job to point out health-related issues such as these. What's not reported is that effective packaging by McNeil and many other companies protects and delivers safe, efficacious pharmaceutical products that benefit millions of consumers.

-By Jim Butschli, Features Editor
Fresh from the show floor: pharma packaging innovations for 2026
Serialization mandates. Containment demands. Sterile barrier requirements. Our editors found the pharma packaging innovations addressing your biggest challenges at PACK EXPO Las Vegas. Get your free curated report now.
GET YOUR COPY
Fresh from the show floor: pharma packaging innovations for 2026
See What’s Possible in Life Sciences Packaging at PACK EXPO International
Explore new machinery & materials from 2,600 exhibitors. Gain insights from 150+ free educational sessions. Find solutions to tackle the toughest challenges—for life sciences & beyond—at North America’s largest packaging & processing event.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE
See What’s Possible in Life Sciences Packaging at PACK EXPO International