Table of contents
- Latest Zicam Recall Lawsuit Updates
- August 10, 2026: Second Swab Recall Begins
- June 6, 2025: Three Swab Products Recalled
- February 20, 2025: Class Action Settlement Reported
- July 31, 2018: Class Action Settlement Proposed
- December 14, 2010: Zicam MDL Settlement Reported
- June 16, 2009: FDA Warns About Zinc Zicam Products
- What Is a Fungal Infection?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Recall and Regulatory Background
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is There a Zicam Recall Lawsuit?
- Did Zicam Settle Lawsuits Before?
- What Does the Research Say About Fungal Contamination in Nasal Swabs?
- Was the August 2026 Zicam Recall the Same as the 2025 Recall?
- Are Zicam RapidMelts Part of the Recall?
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam Nasal AllClear Swabs and Orajel Baby Teething Swabs were recalled over fungi in their cotton swab components. Church & Dwight announced the voluntary nationwide recall on June 6, 2025.
The FDA notice warns that fungi in the swabs can present a risk of serious, life-threatening blood infections in users whose nasal lining may be compromised. A second Zicam swab recall began August 10, 2026.
No lawsuit names the swabs. Earlier Zicam cases involved loss of smell and false advertising. Stop using any recalled swabs and ask Church & Dwight for a refund.
Latest Zicam Recall Lawsuit Updates
August 10, 2026: Second Swab Recall Begins
On August 10, 2026, Church & Dwight began a voluntary recall of 318,600 cartons of Zicam Cold Remedy Medicated Nasal Swabs. NBC Chicago reported the recall followed out-of-limit microbial test results [1].
Recall Radar’s summary of the FDA enforcement record D-0790-2026 shows a Class II rating, dated September 2, 2026 [2]. Class II means the product may cause temporary or medically reversible problems, and serious harm is unlikely.
June 6, 2025: Three Swab Products Recalled
The FDA notice announced Church & Dwight’s nationwide recall over fungi in cotton swab components, posted June 6, 2025 [3]. It covers all lots within expiry of two Zicam swab products and the Orajel Baby Teething Swabs.
February 20, 2025: Class Action Settlement Reported
On February 20, 2025, ConsumerAffairs reported that Zicam customers could get cash back in Church & Dwight’s $6 million class action settlement [4]. It covered purchases made before October 17, 2024.
The case was filed in 2022 and alleged false advertising over cold and flu claims. It was not an injury case. Claims were due February 21, 2025, and Church & Dwight denies any wrongdoing.
July 31, 2018: Class Action Settlement Proposed
On July 31, 2018, KSAT reported a proposed $16 million class action settlement [5]. The suit alleged false and misleading claims about how well certain Zicam products work.
Zicam denied any wrongdoing in the case. The deadline to file a claim was October 3, 2018. The matter concerned product claims, not injuries or safety, and it is separate from the recalls.
December 14, 2010: Zicam MDL Settlement Reported
On December 14, 2010, Law360 reported that Matrixx Initiatives Inc. and Zicam LLC agreed to pay $15.5 million [6]. The deal settled product liability suits by more than 1,000 plaintiffs.
Those suits concerned Zicam Cold Remedy, a different matter from the fungal contamination behind the 2025 and 2026 recalls, which involve cotton swab components.
June 16, 2009: FDA Warns About Zinc Zicam Products
The 2009 FDA warning of June 16 told consumers to discard three zinc-containing Zicam intranasal products [7]. They were Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Cold Remedy Swabs and Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size.
The FDA said the products may cause a loss of sense of smell. This warning is separate from the 2025 and 2026 recalls.
What Is a Fungal Infection?
According to the CDC, fungal infections range from mild to life-threatening. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for most fungal infections [8].
The CDC lists candidemia, a fungal bloodstream infection, among the severe, often deadly diseases hospitalized patients can get. The FDA notice for the Zicam swabs names serious blood infections as the risk.
Who May Be Affected?
The FDA notice says the risk is highest among children and people with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions. The June 2025 recall covers any lot within expiry, sold nationwide and in Puerto Rico.
The products are Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, UPC 732216301205, Zicam Nasal AllClear Swabs, UPC 732216301656, and Orajel Baby Teething Swabs, UPC 310310400002. The August 2026 recall covers the Cold Remedy Medicated Nasal Swabs, lots UN52882, UN53431 and UN60411.
Only an individual legal review of your own facts can say whether you qualify for a claim, because each person’s use, symptoms and medical history differ.
Reported Injuries or Damages
The FDA notice says swabs with fungi can present a risk of serious and life-threatening blood infections. The risk applies to users whose nasal lining may be compromised by inflammation or mechanical injuries.
As of the notice, no serious adverse events associated with the product had been reported. A regulator’s statement of risk is not a finding that anyone was infected. Reports and warnings do not prove the swabs caused any illness.
The 2009 FDA warning involved a different harm. The agency had received more than 130 reports of loss of sense of smell associated with use of three zinc Zicam products. It was concerned the loss may be permanent.
Recall and Regulatory Background
The AllClear swabs were discontinued in December 2024, and a recall does not prove liability. Consumers can get a full refund at churchdwightrecall.com or by calling (800) 981-4710. Report adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088.
Evidence to Preserve
Keep these items in a safe place if you used a recalled swab:
- The packaging, including the lot number and UPC
- The receipt or other proof of purchase
- Photographs of the product and of any symptoms
- Medical records and test results
- Any report of a reaction that you filed
- Messages with the company or the store
These records show which product you used and what happened afterward. A lawyer who reviews your situation may ask to see them.
Filing Deadlines
Deadlines to file a claim exist, and they come from state law. They vary with where you live and when the illness or injury and its diagnosis happened.
If a Zicam swab hurt you, a late filing can end a claim even when your facts are strong. Talk to a lawyer promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Zicam Recall Lawsuit?
Is there a Zicam recall lawsuit? The swab recalls are voluntary actions announced with the FDA, not court cases. Refund requests go to Church & Dwight Consumer Relations, open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm ET, rather than to a court.
Did Zicam Settle Lawsuits Before?
Zicam settled lawsuits before. In the 2025 class settlement, buyers could claim $5 per product up to six with proof of purchase. Without proof, they could claim $2.50 per product up to two. The claim deadline of February 21, 2025 has passed.
What Does the Research Say About Fungal Contamination in Nasal Swabs?
The research on fungal contamination in these nasal swabs is the FDA notice, which says contaminated swabs can potentially present a significant risk to the health and safety of consumers. It calls the risk potentially severe or life-threatening for children and people with compromised immune systems.
Was the August 2026 Zicam Recall the Same as the 2025 Recall?
The August 2026 Zicam recall is not the same as the 2025 recall. It lists the same UPC, 732216301205, as the Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs. The FDA record says an inspection of the contract manufacturer noted out-of-limit microbiological results.
Are Zicam RapidMelts Part of the Recall?
Zicam RapidMelts are not part of the recall. The FDA notice says other Zicam and Orajel products are not affected. Only the three swab products were recalled in June 2025.