J&J recall numerous products

The world's largest consumer healthcare company

Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson is facing a new scandal as its consumer division said  it was recalling more than 500 products that are available over-the-counter, including brands such as Tylenol, Motrin and Rolaids.

The recall was issued after reports of an unusual odor emanating from the products. It is similar to the issue that saw a mass Tylenol recall last year, damaging the product's reputation.

The odor has been described as a "unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that, in a small number of cases, was associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events." In a statement, J&J stated that some consumers had experienced nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.

The recall, that will involve calling back products from all over the world including the United Arab Emirates and Fiji, will also involve Benadryl allergy drug and St. Joseph's Aspirin.

Cause of smell revealed

According to J&J's McNeil Consumer Healthcare division, the smell is caused by the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA), which can result from the breaking down of a chemical found in wood pallets and other packaging and transport materials.

Speaking to Reuters, a company spokeswoman said that while they were unsure how the chemical could have penetrated the packaging of the numerous products, "no serious events have been documented in the medical literature."

J&J, which also sells prescription drugs and medical devices, is one of the world's largest consumer healthcare companies, providing common household products such as Band-Aids, shampoo and Tylenol.

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