CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is recalling 8.2 million bags of laundry detergent pods under various brand names because the packaging of the bag is defective and can split open, possibly putting kids at risk if they were to access and ingest the pods.
The recall includes Tide Pods, Gain Flings, Ace Pods and Ariel Pods sold in flexible film bags in the United States.
The outer packaging can split near the zipper track, Procter & Gamble said in the recall notice, which could pose serious risk of injury to children or vulnerable populations. Ingesting large amounts of household cleaning products can be fatal; the contents of the pods can also cause skin or eye injuries.
The bags were manufactured between September 2023 and February 2024 and sold at popular stores across the country, including Amazon, Big Lots, CVS, Family Dollar, Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Target, Walmart and others.
Consumers should secure the recalled product in a child-resistant container and contact Procter & Gamble for a refund and replacement bag that closes. Customers can request a cabinet lock or child-resistant container from the company. Consumers may be required to submit a photo of the recalled product to participate in the recall.
The recalled bags contain a range from 12 to 39 laundry detergent pods.
Health risks tied to the ingestion of liquid laundry detergent has been well-documented — notably in light of the social media-fueled "Tide Pod challenge" that skyrocketed several years ago. Eating the detergents' chemicals can cause vomiting, diarrhea, liver and kidney damage, and even death.
Beyond online trends, experts warn that children are especially vulnerable to accidentally ingesting liquid laundry packets, as they may confuse the products with candy — urging consumers to always store them safely.
List of recalled products
- Ace Pods Spring Meadow
- Ace Pods Clean Breeze
- Ariel Pods Alpine Breeze
- Gain Flings Original
- Gain Flings Blissful Breeze Scent
- Gain Flings Moonlight Breeze Scent
- Gain Flings Spring Daydream Scent
- Gain Flings Plus Odor Defense
- Gain Flings Plus Ultra Oxi
- Tide Pods Clean Breeze Scent
- Tide Pods Free & Gentle
- Tide Pods Ultra Oxi
- Tide Pods Spring Meadow Scent
- Tide Pods Original
- Tide Pods Oxi
- Tide Pods Light
- Tide Simply Pods Plus Oxi Boost
