Colgate mouthwash recalled

Up to 50,000 bottles of mouthwash are being taken off the shelves in the UK over fears they may be contaminated with bacteria.

Colgate-Palmolive announced on Wednesday that it was recalling the medicinal mouthwash Periogard, after some samples were found to harbour the bacterium Burkholderia.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) said the contaminated mouthwash was unlikely to cause harm to healthy people, but could cause an infection in people with a compromised immune system or with chronic lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis.

The mouthwash has been recalled from sale in 11 of 12 different countries within Europe and Australasia, where it is sold under different brand names.

Gerald Heddell from the MHRA said: "For healthy people there should be no problems, however, for some there could be a small potential risk of infection.

"If people do have any suspected side effects then they should contact their GP."

Consumers can contact Colgate-Palmolive UK on their freephone helpline 00800 3213 2132 from 8.30am - 5pm from Monday to Wednesday and on Friday, or 8.30am-3pm on Thursday, for details on how to return the product and obtain a refund.

This article was published on Thu 3 November 2011