More than 4.8 million cartons of eye drops sold under 27 brand names are being recalled because the manufacturer cannot guarantee they are sterile. The drops were sold as store brands at chains including Walgreens, Kroger, Publix, H-E-B, Harris Teeter, Target (up&up) and Walmart (Equate).
If you have a 0.5-ounce bottle of artificial tears or redness-relief drops from one of these brands, check the label against the list below and stop using any match.
Why are these eye drops being recalled?
The FDA lists the reason as a "lack of assurance of sterility." Eye drops go straight onto the surface of the eye, so they must be free of bacteria and fungi. Contaminated drops can cause eye infections.
All of the products were made by K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc., of Pomona, California. The FDA classified the recall as Class II on October 5, 2026, according to the agency's enforcement report, as reported by The Healthy.
The recall follows an FDA warning letter sent to the company on August 12, 2026. After inspecting the Pomona plant from January 20 to February 13, the FDA said the company had kept releasing sterile products after failed tests of its sterile process, among other problems. The agency called them repeat violations of a 2023 warning letter. The company committed to suspending production of its over-the-counter drugs at the facility, the letter says.
No illnesses linked to the recall have been reported publicly.
Which brands and products are on the recall list?
All are 0.5 fl. oz. bottles.
| Product | Brands | Cartons |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Tears Sterile Lubricant Eye Drops | Best Choice, Leader, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Good Sense, Medic's Choice, Publix, Quality Choice, TopCare Health, Walgreens, Kroger | 505,896 |
| Sterile Eye Drops AC | Equaline, Good Sense, H-E-B, Quality Choice, TopCare Health | 182,016 |
| Sterile Eye Drops Advanced Relief | Leader, Equaline, Good Sense, H-E-B, Medic's Choice, Foster & Thrive, Colirio Manzanill A+, Publix, Quality Choice, TopCare Health | 208,896 |
| Maximum Redness Relief Eye Drops | Exchange Select, Harris Teeter, Tyson Mike, up&up (Target), TopCare Health, Walgreens | 1,435,830 |
| Sterile Lubricant Dry Eye Relief Eye Drops | Leader, Crocodile Tears, Discount Drug Mart, Exchange Select, Gericare, H-E-B, Harris Teeter, Foster & Thrive, TopCare Health | 1,327,248 |
| Original Redness Reliever Eye Drops | Best Choice, Discount Drug Mart, Good Sense, H-E-B, Harris Teeter, Circle K, Lil' DrugStore, Quality Choice, TopCare Health, Equate (Walmart), Walgreens, Kroger | 1,025,448 |
| Sterile Eye Drops Redness Relief | Leader, Discount Drug Mart, Equaline, Colirio Ojo de Aguila, Clear Eyes Redness Relief, Equate (Walmart), Walgreens, Xpect | Not listed |
| Sterile High Performance Ultra Lubricating Eye Drops | Leader, Exchange Select, Good Sense, Walgreens | 163,008 |
How do I check my bottle?
- Find the brand and product name on the box and match it to the table above.
- Find the NDC or UPC on the carton. NDC numbers look like 70000-0011-1; UPCs are the barcode numbers.
- Check the lot number and expiration date against the FDA Enforcement Report for event 99880, which lists the affected lots.
- Look for the maker. Store-brand cartons usually say who made or distributed the product. If it names K.C. Pharmaceuticals, check carefully.
Not every bottle of a store brand is affected. Store brands often come from several manufacturers.
What should I do if my eye drops are recalled?
- Stop using them.
- Return them to the store for a refund, or throw them away.
- Ask a pharmacist for a replacement that is not on the list.
- Call a doctor if you have eye pain, redness, swelling, discharge, light sensitivity or blurry vision after using eye drops.
What does a Class II recall mean?
The FDA uses three recall classes. Class II means the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems," or that serious harm is unlikely. Class I is reserved for products that could cause serious injury or death. Class III covers products unlikely to cause any harm.
Are there other recent recalls?
This is the latest in a run of eye drop recalls. A recall of Clear Eyes drops sold at CVS was announced in mid-September, and a separate Walgreens eye drop recall followed less than a week later.
Separately, Aurobindo Pharma USA recalled 112,932 bottles of Amazon Basic Care Extra Strength Acetaminophen 500 mg after customers complained of discolored tablets. The recall began September 18 and covers 200-, 500- and 1,000-count bottles. The FDA had not yet assigned it a class.
| Bottle size | Bottles | Lot numbers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200-count | 14,640 | ACD125040A | 09/30/2027 |
| 500-count | 90,456 | ACD124036A, ACD124030A, ACD124042A, ACD124048B, ACD125010A | 09/2027 to 02/2028 |
| 1,000-count | 7,836 | ACD124048A | 11/30/2027 |
Anyone with the recalled acetaminophen should talk to a pharmacist or healthcare provider.
For another food-safety alert this month, see the broccoli sprouting seeds salmonella recall.
