Winter can be a time of dry lips, but if you are one of many Australians turning to a red tube of Lucas' Papaw Ointment to ease your chapping, you'll need to check the packaging.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has recalled 11 batches of the easily recognised product due to a "microbiological contamination".
The batches in question are 15 gram, 75 gram and 200 gram ointment products expiring at different times throughout 2025.
The TGA is urging consumers to check the batch number located on "the crimp" of the 15g tube and the bottom of the larger containers.
The TGA said the microorganisms in question pose little danger but "there is a remote risk that individuals who are immunocompromised could become ill if they are exposed".
The microorganism are Aspergillus tubingensis, Sordaria humana, Penicillium paneum and Paenibacillus glucanolyticus.
Lucas' Papaw Ointment is produced in Acacia Ridge on Brisbane's south side.
The company said in a statement the discovery of "mould and bacteria contamination" led to the recall.
"Return it to the place of purchase for a refund or call our customer service line to arrange the return of affected product and refund."
They too said the exposure to the microorganisms pose "minimal risk to the general population".
The batch numbers are:
Product Sizes |
Batch Number |
Expiry |
|---|---|---|
15g |
00522D22 |
April 2025 |
00822E25 |
May 2025 |
|
00822E26 |
May 2025 |
|
00822E27 |
May 2025 |
|
00822F01 |
June 2025 |
|
00822F03 |
June 2025 |
|
00822F06 |
June 2025 |
|
00822E31 |
May 2025 |
|
75g |
00522E04 |
May 2025 |
00522E05 |
May 2025 |
|
200g |
00822E30 |
May 2025 |
