A healthcare manufacturer - which makes medicines for several supermarkets and high street retailers - is recalling 15 batches of its children’s glycerine and blackcurrant cough syrups.

Bell, Sons & Co is pulling own-brand cough syrups from Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Superdrug and Wilko due to reports of mould.

Up to four batches are being recalled from Asda, two from Superdrug and three from Tesco stores.

A statement on the Government's, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, website reads: "Penicillium brevicompactum and Penicillium corylophilum can produce mycotoxins. Reactions to these mycotoxins are rare in reported literature but there is a low risk they could induce non-specific toxin reactions that could include rashes, breathing difficulties and Gastro-Intestinal (GI) symptoms.

"There is also a low risk of allergen-mediated disease either through inhalation or ingestion of Penicillium antigens to occur, causing allergic symptoms."

The statement goes on to say: "It is important for people to check if they have any bottles from the batches of the blackcurrant cough syrups listed.

"If they do, they should not take them or give them to others. They should return any bottles of the batches above to the shop or pharmacy they bought it from.

"The mould is not always visible so they should return any bottles of the cough syrups from the batches above even if they can’t see the mould.

"Whilst the possibility of a reaction to the mould is low, if parents are concerned their child has had a reaction they should speak to their GP, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.

"As with any medicine, we strongly encourage anyone to report any suspected side effects to the MHRA via the Yellow Card Scheme ."

Here is the full list below:


Brand & Product Description Batch Number D Code Expiry Date Pack Size Date Released
Asda Children’s Dry Cough Syrup Glycerol Blackcurrant Flavour 274V1 D10-5120 01/08/2020 200 ml 27/09/2017
Asda Children’s Dry Cough Syrup Glycerol Blackcurrant Flavour 276V1 D10-5120 01/10/2020 200 ml 31/10/2017
Asda Children’s Dry Cough Syrup Glycerol Blackcurrant Flavour 278V1 D10-5120 001/12/2020 200 ml 02/01/2018
Asda Children’s Dry Cough Syrup Glycerol Blackcurrant Flavour 283W1 D10-5120 01/02/2020 200 ml 19/02/2018
Bell’s Healthcare Children’s Dry Cough Glycerin 0.75g/5ml Syrup 280V3 D10-4315 01/12/2020 200 ml 04/01/2018
Morrisons Children’s Dry Tickly Cough Glycerin 0.75g/5ml Oral Solution 282W1 D10-4325 01/01/2021 200 ml 30/01/2018
Numark Children’s Dry Cough 0.75 g/5 ml Oral Solution 280V1 D10-4042 01/12/2020 200 ml 04/01/2018
Numark Children’s Dry Cough 0.75 g/5 ml Oral Solution 288W1 D10-4042 01/04/20201 200 ml 27/04/2018
Sainsbury’s Children’s Dry Cough 0.75g/5ml Syrup 275V1 D10-0112 01/09/2020 200 ml 11/10/2017
Superdrug Children’s Dry Tickly Cough Glycerin 0.75 g/5 ml Oral Solution 280V2 D10-4695 01/12/2020 200 ml 04/01/2018
Superdrug Children’s Dry Tickly Cough Glycerin 0.75 g/5 ml Oral Solution 284W1 D10-4695 01/03/2021 200 ml 24/03/2018
Tesco Children’s Dry Cough Syrup 277V1 D10-4271 01/10/2020 200 ml 31/10/2017
Tesco Children’s Dry Cough Syrup 278V2 D10-4271 01/12/2020 200 ml 02/01/2018
Tesco Children’s Dry Cough Syrup 281W1 D10-4271 01/01/2021 200 ml 30/01/2018
Wilko Tickly Cough 0.75g/5ml Oral Solution 275V2 D10-0310 01/09/2020 200 ml 11/10/2017