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Pharma

Bayer is recalling almost 800,000 travel-size nasal spray bottles over missing child-safety labels

The 6 mL bottles lack required labeling stating the packaging is not child-resistant, posing a poisoning risk to young children

2 min read·Updated May 4, 2026
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Bayer is voluntarily recalling about 786,100 units of Afrin Original Nasal Spray in travel-size 6 mL bottles after the packaging was found to be missing a required label statement disclosing that it is not child-resistant.

The recall, conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, covers unexpired bottles with lot numbers 230361, 240822, 241198, 250066, 250152, 250646, and 250831. The bottles are identifiable by the text "Afrin® Original Nasal Spray" and "1/5 FL OZ (6 mL)" on the front label.

The 6 mL bottles contain an imidazoline, a chemical that must either be sold in child-resistant packaging or carry a front-label statement disclosing the absence of such packaging, as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, according to the CPSC. Without that disclosure, the bottles pose a risk of serious injury or illness from poisoning if swallowed by young children. No injuries have been reported.

Bayer noted that the missing label language has no bearing on the product's quality or effectiveness. Under federal law, some products are permitted to forgo child-resistant caps as an accommodation for elderly consumers or those with physical disabilities who may have difficulty opening such packaging.

Sales of the recalled bottles were concentrated in convenience stores and travel-oriented locations like airports and bodegas, according to Bayer; the bottles did not reach large national retailers such as Walmart $WMT, Target $TGT, or Amazon $AMZN. All other Afrin products are sold in child-resistant packaging and are not part of the recall.

Consumers who have the affected bottles should store them out of sight and reach of children. To receive a refund, Bayer is asking customers to photograph the product before disposing of it and submit the image through a webform at www.livewell.bayer.com/afrin-original-spray-recall. The company is also notifying distributors and retailers and arranging for returns of recalled inventory.

Bayer can be reached by phone at 800-317-2165, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

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