Tide Pods Recall Alert: Could Your Household Be at Risk?

Disclaimer: This resource is for informational purposes only. Morgan & Morgan is not currently accepting cases related to these products.

Over 8.2 million packages of Tide Pods have been recalled by Procter & Gamble in April, 2024, the manufacturer of this popular cleaning detergent. The Tide Pods recall focuses on packaging defects that could expose vulnerable individuals to serious health risks. If you own any of these products, please pay close attention—you or your loved ones may not be safe. 

An Overview of the Tide Pods Recall

The recall includes a series of pods from the Ohio-based manufacturer. Some popular brands mentioned include Ace, Tide, Ariel, and Gain Flings. 

It targets flexible bags with specific lot codes, sold nationwide at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon. If you’ve purchased laundry pods recently, you should spare a moment to check the packaging for the recall details.  

The Risks Posed by Defective Packaging

The detergent inside Tide Pods is generally considered safe for use as directed. However, the defective packaging is what’s causing the recall.

Flexible film bags that split open can leave the pods exposed. As a result, children and even cognitively impaired adults may be tempted to ingest these pods.

Also, keep in mind that these pods are brightly colored. That makes them more conspicuous. 

If ingested, detergent pods can cause severe poisoning, internal injuries, or even death, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Skin irritation and eye injuries are also common risks if the contents of the pods are handled improperly.

So far, there’s no confirmation of any serious injuries linked directly to the recalled packaging. But that’s not to say that the risk doesn’t exist. It is, in fact, a potential safety hazard waiting to happen.

Here’s why. 

P&G has reported at least four incidents of children accessing the pods during the time these defective packaging were on the market. In addition, there have been at least three cases of ingestion.

How to Handle Recalled Products

Worried you might’ve purchased one of the recalled packages? Here’s what you need to do:

• Check the lot code at the bottom of the bag
• Compare the code to the recall information on P&G’s official website to confirm whether your purchase is affected
• If your product is part of the recall:
  • Place the package out of reach of children and vulnerable adults, preferably in a locked cabinet.
  • Contact P&G to request a refund or replacement bag.  
  • Safely dispose of the affected packaging bag.

With that said, if a loved one has ingested Tide Pods, it’s important that they get checked by a doctor immediately. These pods contain harmful chemicals that could cause serious damage to internal body organs. Don’t assume the risk is low if the person in question doesn’t show any signs of discomfort.

Note that internal injuries take their sweet time, causing internal damage, before they begin to show their symptoms. Downplaying the incident will put your loved one at risk of developing serious complications that may be expensive to treat or even life-threatening. 

Laundry Pod Safety Statistics You Should Know 

The Tide Pods recall isn’t an isolated incident but part of a larger conversation about the safety of laundry detergent pods. These products have been a concern for over a decade due to their accessibility and appeal to children. The scent is also known to appeal to many adults.

As far back as 2012, advocacy groups like Consumer Reports called on manufacturers to make detergent pods safer by improving their packaging. A few changes were made, notably switching from clear to opaque containers and introducing child-resistant features. But that wasn’t enough to solve this problem once and for all. It was more of a band-aid solution than a full treatment. 

From 2014 to 2022, there were over 114,000 reported exposures to liquid laundry detergent packets. Unsurprisingly, about 87% of these cases involved children under the age of six.

These exposures have resulted in emergency room visits due to poisoning, chemical burns, or eye injuries.  

Certain social media trends have also increased the risk of exposure. A good example is the 2018 "Tide Pod Challenge” which involved adolescents intentionally ingesting pods as part of an online dare.

The Way Forward

As a consumer, the safety of your household is in your hands. If you’ve purchased Tide Pods or similar products recently, take the time to verify whether your items are affected by the recall. If impacted, please follow the steps provided by P&G and the CPSC to secure your home and avoid unnecessary risks.

Also, you should consider speaking with a product liability attorney if your loved one has been impacted by exposure to Tide Pods or other detergents. The attorney will evaluate your case to determine whether you qualify for additional compensation.