Procter & Gamble, a major manufacturer of consumer goods, has issued a recall for laundry pods sold under a number of brand names. A defect was discovered that could cause the pods to split open without warning, causing the detergent inside to spill, potentially causing harm if ingested or if exposed to the eyes or unprotected skin. People with these pods should cease using them and contact the manufacturer for a refund and replacement.

What is Procter & Gamble?

Procter & Gamble is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of consumer goods, including cleaning products, personal care products, and skin care items. This includes common household brands such as Tide laundry detergent, Crest toothpaste, Downy fabric softener, and Charmin toilet paper, among other things. It was estimated to have made $82 billion in revenue last year.

What Are These Laundry Pods?

These laundry pods, sold under a number of brands (including Tide, Gain, Ace, and Ariel), contain laundry detergent in pre-measured amounts, stored inside small packets. These packets are meant to dissolve when placed in water, releasing the detergent within to clean clothing in laundry machines. The affected products were sold between September 2023 and February 2024, encompassing around eight million units.

Why Were They Recalled?

The recall was issued after it was found that the bags containing the detergent could rip open along the zipper track, causing the detergent in the bags to be spilled. This could pose harm to vulnerable populations, such as children, especially if it is accidentally ingested or becomes exposed to the eyes or skin. While no known injuries were attributed to this defect, there have been at least three cases of children ingesting detergent from potentially defective laundry pods.

What Should You Do?

If you have one of these affected laundry pods, you should stop using them and seek a refund and replacement from the manufacturer. You should particularly make sure they are out of the reach of children. If you or your child either ingest the detergent or have it make contact with your eyes or exposed skin, you should consider seeking medical attention, and then contact a lawyer with experience handling personal injury issues.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.