U.S. recalls two personal care products over poisoning risk and packaging failures

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned Thursday about recalls of two personal care items sold at major retailers and online that could pose a risk of poisoning to children if swallowed. The recalls highlight ongoing concerns about packaging standards for substances that can be dangerous if ingested, even in small amounts, and underscore the agency’s emphasis on child-resistant design for products containing potent ingredients.

Florida-based Plantimex recalled 50,000 bottles of Mamisan Pain Relieving Topical Ointment, packaged in 3.52-ounce yellow jars, after officials determined the product contains lidocaine, an anesthetic that can be fatal if swallowed. The recall notes that the ointment’s container did not use child-resistant packaging, which is required for lidocaine products under U.S. safety rules. The ointment is applied to muscles to ease pain and has drawn interest from consumers who pursue natural remedies. The jars were distributed nationwide through Target and Walmart between April 2024 and October 2025. Customers are advised to keep the product out of reach of children and to contact Plantimex to obtain child-resistant lids or other safety options.

The same day, Feel The Beard recalled its Minoxidil Beard Growth Oil for Men, sold for about $10 on Amazon, after inspectors found the product contained minoxidil but was packaged without child-resistant features. Minoxidil, a hair-growth stimulant, can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure if ingested, and U.S. labeling rules require child-resistant packaging for this substance to prevent accidental poisoning. The China-made beard oil was distributed nationwide from April through September this year. Consumers are instructed to move the product out of reach of children and contact Feel The Beard for instructions on safe disposal and to obtain a replacement. The beard oil was sold in 1-ounce dark amber bottles, and the recall specifically cited 840 units affected by the packaging issue. No injuries or fatalities have been reported to date in connection with either recall, according to the CPSC.

The CPSC did not specify how the packaging flaws were detected for either recall. Officials suggested that issues may have emerged through routine inspections or via consumer complaints that prompted follow-up checks. In both recalls, agency representatives stressed that non‑child-resistant packaging can enable young children to access potent chemicals, which can lead to serious or fatal outcomes if ingested. The agency reminded consumers that swollen or broken packaging can also compromise safety, and it urged households to review product packaging for any signs of non-compliance and to contact the manufacturers for disposal and replacement options.

The recalls come amid efforts to reinforce safe packaging practices across consumer products. The CPSC notes that millions of products sold in the United States are already equipped with child-resistant packaging, including prescription medications and many over-the-counter drugs. The warnings also align with broader data on poisonings: about 60,000 children under five are hospitalized annually in the United States for poisonings, with around 49 of these cases resulting in death each year. While the immediate risk in these two recalls appears limited to ingestion by children, safety authorities emphasize that preventing access to potentially dangerous substances in households remains a top priority for public health officials.