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A man with a beard is sitting on a bed while using a nasal spray, tilting his head slightly back with his eyes closed.
Tetyana Halanchak/istockphoto

If changing weather and seasons is an allergy trigger for you (it certainly is for me), you might be heading to the closest Walgreens to grab some nasal spray.

Just be careful which one you select. Over 40,000 bottles of Walgreens’ Nasal Spray have been recalled, according to an enforcement report by the Food and Drug Administration. Here’s what we know.

Which Nasal Spray Was Recalled?

Box and bottle of Walgreens Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol, labeled for daily relief, drug free, moisturizing nasal passages, and relieving congestion. The bottle is 1.5 oz (45 mL).
Walgreens

The nasal spray being recalled is Walgreens Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol, packaged and branded as one of Walgreens’ house products.

Why Was the Spray Recalled?

A person wearing blue gloves uses a pipette to transfer or examine samples in a petri dish on a laboratory table.
SeventyFour/istockphoto

Walgreens recalled 41,328 bottles of nasal spray due to the discovery of a bacteria called “pseudomonas lactis.” This bacteria — and you’re not going to like this — comes from raw bovine milk. 

The spray was manufactured by Medical Products Laboritaires, Inc. in Philadelphia.

How Do I Know if My Nasal Spray Has Been Recalled?

A woman stands in a pharmacy, closely reading the label on a medicine box. Shelves filled with various medications and products are visible in the background.
Brothers91/istockphoto

The Walgreens Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol involved in the nasal spray recall comes in a 1.5 oz (45 mL) bottle and has the following lot codes:

  • Lot code 71409, expires 02/28/2027
  • Lot code 71861, expires 08/31/2027

Check the packaging of your spray to see if your expiration dates and lot codes match up.

What Do I Do if My Nasal Spray Is Affected?

Noblesville - Circa March 2021: Walgreens Retail Location.
jetcityimage/istockphoto

Though no official statement has been released, you can always return recalled products for a refund.

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Meet the Writer

Wilder Shaw is a staff writer at Cheapism who has written for publications like The Washington Post, Thrillist, Time Out, and more, but you most likely recognize him as Trick-or-Treater No. 2 from a 1996 episode of “The Nanny”. Give him a shout on Bluesky and Instagram.