Master Herbs, Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of All Lots of Licorice Coughing Liquid Due to the Presence of Morphine

This is a reprint of an FDA Alert.

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Recall: Firm Press Release

For Immediate Release   January 20, 2016
Contact
Consumers
Master Herbs, Inc.
999herbs@gmail.com
626-319-9915

Firm Press Release

Pomona, CA, Master Herbs, Inc. is voluntarily recalling ALL LOTS of Licorice Coughing Liquid, cough syrup in 100 ml bottles to the consumer level. This product has been found to contain morphine, which is an opioid, and it is not declared on the label. Opioid is an ingredient of Compound Camphor. Compound Camphor is declared on the label of the product, but not its ingredients.

Consumers using this product may not be aware they are ingesting morphine. The unaware ingestion of morphine can lead to life-threatening respiratory depression and death. Because the morphine contained in this product is not identified on the label there is a risk that patients who are hypersensitive to morphine could suffer severe allergic reactions. In addition young children with a respiratory illness are vulnerable to respiratory depression from opioids and should not be exposed to morphine in any event. To this date Master Herbs, Inc. is not aware of adverse events associated with use of the product.

The product is used for the temporary relief of cough due to cold, minor throat and bronchial irritations. The product can also be identified by the Chinese Product Name: Licorice Coughing Liquid

The product was distributed to Chinese grocery stores in various cities in California, New Jersey, Hawaii, Illinois, Ohio and Nevada.

Master Herbs, Inc. is notifying its distributors and customers by phone or fax and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Consumers that have product which is being recalled should stop using the product and return it to place of purchase. Retailer and wholesalers should stop distributing the product, quarantine any remaining inventory and make arrangements to return the product.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Master Herbs, Inc. by phone at 626-319-9915 Monday through Friday from 10:00am – 5:00pm PST or anytime via email at 999herbs@gmail.com. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they believe they have experienced any adverse events related with use of this product.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

  • Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
  • Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Licorice Coughing Medicine