Tylenol maker admits to selling medicine contaminated with metal

Tylenol Maker Admits to Contaminating Medicine
(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, reached a $25 million settlement with the Department of Justice on Tuesday. The Tylenol maker pleaded guilty to selling liquid medicines that were contaminated with metal.

In 2010, the company recalled medicines including Infants' Tylenol and Childrens' Motrin. Reuters reports that the issues began in 2009, when a customer reported "black specks" in Infants' Tylenol, and the specks turned out to be nickel and chromium. The liquid medicines that were contaminated with metal often had "moldy odors," too, Reuters notes.

The agreement also included furthering safety measures at McNeil's Fort Washington facility before it reopens.

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Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.