Contaminated Tylenol Sold

A Johnson & Johnson subsidiary will pay $25 Million after pleading guilty to selling liquid contaminated with metal.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, pleaded guilty in a Federal District Court in Philadelphia to a criminal charge of manufacture and process of adulterated over-the-counter Tylenol  medicines. The company agreed to a $25 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to US News, metal particles, including nickel, iron and chromium, were introduced  to Tylenol during the manufacturing process at McNeil’s plant in Fort Washington. Prosecutors said McNeil knew about the problem for nearly a year but failed to take immediate steps to fix it.

“McNeil’s failure to comply with current good manufacturing practices is seriously troubling,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Mizer said in a statement after the judge accepted McNeil’s plea.

“The Department of Justice will continue to be aggressive in pursuing and punishing companies such as McNeil that disregard a process designed to assure quality medicines, especially OTC drugs for infants and children,” he said.

To see the rest of the story, visit US News & World Report Health page.