Recall on popular laxative medication over health fears

Australia’s consumer watchdog has recalled a laxative after they found the product to be missing a crucial warning for some women and children.

Australia’s consumer watchdog has warned consumers to return a laxative, after they found the product to be missing a crucial warning for children and women who are pregnant, want to fall pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Described as a laxative to relieve constipation, a product recall was issued for the ComforCleanse by Young Living Essential Oils by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

The product claims to be a “high-powered herbal formula that supports normal digestive and colon function”.

However, the report said that the packaging didn’t include the “mandatory wording for the required label warnings” for the ingredient fennel, which is also known by its scientific name, Foeniculum vulgate.

Certain batches of Young Living ComforCleanse have been recalled.

The warning states that all products with the use by date of March 29, 2023, or bottles that carry the identifying numbers: ‘Lot 15500101,’ should be returned to Young Living for a refund.

Currently, the product is marked as “not available for purchase” on its online shop.

The TGA also states that Young Living will be reaching out to customers in their database with the recall information and that the products at the warehouse have been separated and relabelled.

Known for selling essential oils and alternative remedies, Young Living is a multi-marketing marketing company that originated in Utah, in the United States.

Although customers can by the products via their online store, they are known for their ‘Brand Partner’ program.

Young Living is known for their essential oils and diffusers. Picture: Instagram @youngliving

In July 2022, the US Food and Drug Association (FDA) issued a warning to its US arm after it found brand partners to be making drug claims with their essential oils.

Some Young Living members said the Lemon Essential Oil had been proven to be “as effective as stone-breaking chanca piedra pills for the kidney stones” as well as claims that frankincense essential oil could help with arthritis and asthma.

Addressing the FDA Warning Letter, Young Living, they said partners who made these statements went against their “policies and procedures”.

“Young Living takes FDA complaints very seriously, and in the event of a complaint, our Conduct Success team follows the three-step enforcement approach with Brand Partners in which we educate, warn, and — if appropriate warnings are not adhered to — then we will proceed with account termination,” the statement said.

Originally published as Recall on popular laxative medication over health fears