Over 8 Million Packages of Ace, Ariel, Gain, and Tide Laundry Detergent Pods Recalled Due to Defective Bags
Access to the detergent pods from Procter & Gamble presents a poisoning danger to children and others, the CPSC warns
Procter & Gamble has recalled 8.2 million packages of its popular liquid laundry detergent pods because a bag defect could make the colorful packs accessible to children and other vulnerable individuals, creating a poisoning risk.
The flexible bags designed to secure the pods can split open near the zipper, potentially exposing the contents to children and cognitively impaired adults who may be tempted by their bright, candy-like colors.
The recall involves certain lot codes of Ace Pods, Ariel Pods, Gain Flings, and Tide Pods pods in flexible film bags that were manufactured between September 2023 and February 2024. The lot code can be found at the bottom of the bag; you’ll find a list of lot codes included in the recall on P&G’s recall page.
In its recall notice, the Consumer Product Safety Commission urges consumers to immediately secure their packages of detergent out of children’s reach and contact P&G for a refund and replacement child-resistant bag to store the pods. See details below.
As of the recall, there had been no confirmed injuries tied directly to this packaging defect, according to the CPSC.
Details of the P&G Laundry Detergent Recall
The recall: Affected products are Ace Pods, Ariel Pods, Gain Flings, and Tide Pods liquid laundry detergent pods packaged in flexible film bags, manufactured between September 2023 and February 2024. Certain lot codes and a variety of bag sizes and scents are included in the recall, ranging from 12 to 39 detergent pods, including:
- Ace Pods: Clean Breeze, Spring Meadow
- Ariel Pods: Alpine Breeze
- Gain Flings: Original, Moonlight Breeze, Blissful Breeze, Spring Daydream, Plus Ultra Oxi, Plus Odor Defense
- Tide Pods: Original, Spring Meadow, Clean Breeze, Free & Gentle, Oxi, Ultra Oxi
- Tide Pods Light
- Tide Simply Pods Plus Oxi Boost
The risk: The outer packaging can split open near the zipper track, posing a risk to children and other vulnerable people if a pod is ingested. There’s also a risk of skin irritation or eye injuries. The CPSC says ingesting large quantities of these surfactant cleaning products can cause death, particularly among individuals with health issues.
Where and when sold: The recalled packages were sold at Big Lots, CVS, Family Dollar, Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Target, Walmart, and other major stores nationwide, as well as by Amazon.com and other online retailers from September 2023 through the present. The cost ranges from $5 for a 12-count bag to $30 for a box of four 39-count bags.
Incidents/injuries: P&G has received four reports of children in the U.S. accessing the pods, three of which reported ingestion in the time period the recalled lots were sold. However, the CPSC says it’s unknown whether these incidents involved detergent from recalled products.
The remedy: To find out if your laundry detergent is recalled, check the lot code on the bottom of the bag and cross-reference with the recalled lot codes listed on the P&G site. Take a photo of the lot code to prove the package qualifies for the recall.
The CPSC implores consumers to immediately secure recalled packages completely out of sight and out of reach of children. The agency also suggests contacting Procter & Gamble for a full refund and a free replacement child-resistant bag to store the detergent. According to the CPSC, you can also receive a cabinet lock for securing laundry products. Call the company at 833-347-5764 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday, or go to the P&G Bag Replacement and Recall Programs page.
The Danger Posed by Detergent Pods
Detergent pod and packet security has been a concern for more than a decade. As early as 2012 CR called on manufacturers to make detergent pods safer, arguing that outer packaging should meet federal standards for child-resistant packaging under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Many manufacturers responded by switching from clear to opaque plastic containers or making their packaging more childproof. In July 2015, CR decided not to include pods on its list of recommended detergents, following more than 6,000 reports of small children ingesting or inhaling the pods, or getting the contents on their skin or in their eyes, during the previous six months.
The pods gained further notoriety in 2018, with reports of adolescents swallowing the detergent packets as part of the social-media-fueled “Tide Pod Challenge.” Still, small children remain most at risk: From 2014 to 2022, there were 114,826 exposures to liquid laundry detergent packets, and 87 percent of those cases were children under 6 years old, according to research by Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Consumer Reports currently advises that single-load liquid laundry detergent pods should be avoided in homes where children under 6 years old or cognitively impaired adults may be present. You’ll find this alert on our laundry detergent pod ratings page. Three of the recalled pods—Gain Flings, Tide Pods Simply Plus Oxi, and Tide Pods Ultra Oxi 4-in-1—are in CR’s ratings. The packaging of the product is not addressed in our performance tests.
“This recall is important, and every affected consumer should follow the instructions to get a full refund,” Wallace says. “We at Consumer Reports continue to recommend that households skip liquid laundry packets altogether if children younger than 6 or cognitively impaired adults are ever present.”
