Source: Motrin

Johnson & Johnson recalled 200,000 bottles of Infants' MOTRIN Drops due to the risk caused by tiny plastic contamination. The products are suspected to be contaminated with synthetic compound which can be dangerous to humans and birds.

Johnson & Johnson Immediate Recall

Johnson & Johnson declared a recall of 200,000 bottles of Infants' Motrin Drops formula due to tiny plastic contamination found in the product. The recall affected the Infants' Motrin Drops Original Berry Flavour which primarily used to lower fever, treatment of aches and pains for children with ages 2 years old and above.

J&J issued a warning that the medical product may have been contaminated with specks of PTFE or Polytetrafluoroethylene - synthetic compound used in many applications with best known brand, Teflon. Fortunately, no injuries or medical cases related to the issue have been reported according to the company.

"From our perspective, during the manufacturing process at the third-party supplier, that's when the particles got into the ibuprofen," statement of Ed Kuffner, vice president at McNeil, quoted by Boston.com.

Lot numbers of the bottles which have been recalled are identified as: DCB3T01, DDB4R01 and DDB4S01. Retailers have been notified to take the affected products off from shelves and consumers should stop using any of the bottles with the above lot numbers then call the company for a refund at 1-877-414-7709.

Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE

PTFE is a synthetic compound which is used in many applications and it is best known by the brand name Teflon by DuPont Co.

Applications of PTFE

PTFE is used in many things which are commonly used now at home and public works.

- Non-stick coating material for cooking wares

- Coating against reactive or corrosive chemicals on containers and pipe work

- Reduces friction, wear and tear, and energy consumption of machinery if used as a lubricant

- Graft material in surgical interventions

- Film interface for sports item such as footwear

- Used a thread seal tape for plumbing

Safety Precautions

Most industries benefit from applications of PTFE; however, there are safety precautions on the compound can be dangerous to animals and humans.

- High temperature exposure such as at 200 degrees Celsius may evolve it into several fluorocarbon gases

- PTFE is a sublimate which can turn into gas from solid state

- Decomposition products at 202 degrees Celsius can kill birds

- PTFE on cooking ware can deteriorate at 260 degrees Celsius and decomposes above 350 degrees Celsius which can cause flu-like symptoms in humans