Kotex recalls tampons

DALLAS (MSNBC) - Kimberly-Clark is recalling about 1,400 cases of Kotex tampons because of plastic tubing that may be contaminated with bacteria that could cause dangerous infections, a spokesman for the Dallas-based firm said Monday.

The recall applies to limited lots of Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency distributed to Walmart, Fry's and Smith's stores in eight states. They were sold in 18-count and 36-count boxes with SKU numbers of 15063 and 15068.

The tampons were recalled after company tests detected the bacterium Enterobacter sakazakii, which could cause health problems, including vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease or other, potentially life-threatening infections. Women with existing health problems, including cancer, HIV or compromised immune systems, are at higher risk for infection.

Kimberly-Clark has received no reports of illness linked to the products, said Bob Brand, the company's spokesman.

A single plastic tube was found to be contaminated with the microbe, sparking the company's action, Brand told msnbc.com.

The plastic tubes supplied with the tampons were manufactured for Kimberly-Clark by a third party, which Brand declined to identify. "This is our responsiblity," he said.

Nearly all of the recalled product has been recovered and is off store shelves, Brand said. The products were shipped between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2. They went to Walmart stores in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas; to some Fry's stores in Arizona; and to some Smith's stores in Utah and Arizona.

For a list of specific lots recalled, click here.

Consumers who have the products should stop using them and contact Kimberly-Clark's consumer office at 1-800-335-6839. Anyone who has been using the products and experiences unusual vaginal discharge, headache, rash, fever, vomiting or abdominal pains, should contact a doctor.

No other Kotex products are affected by the recall and Natural Balance Security Tampons that don't contain the listed SKU numbers or lots are safe to use, the company said.