Contamination Risk Prompts Recall of Eye Drops Sold at CVS, Walgreens, and Other Retailers Nationwide
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Millions of Eye Drop Bottles May Be Contaminated, Prompting Nationwide Recall

More than 3 million bottles sold at retailers like CVS and Kroger were pulled because they may pose an infection risk, the FDA says.
Millions of Eye Drop Bottles May Be Contaminated, Prompting Nationwide Recall
Everyday Health
By
Published on April 3, 2026
by
More than three million bottles of pocket-size eye drops sold at pharmacies and grocers nationwide have been recalled because they may not be sterile, according to a report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Eye drops that aren’t sterile could pose an infection risk; so far, there have been no reports of injuries or illness related to the current recall.

The FDA listed the recall as a Class II event, meaning exposure to affected products “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Customers can usually return recalled items to stores where they were purchased for a refund. You should not use any recalled eye drops. 

The manufacturer, K.C. Pharmaceuticals, recalled the following generic and store-brand 0.5 ounce (oz)/15 milliliter (mL) bottles:

Product
Brands
Sterile Eye Drops AC (tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%, zinc sulfate 0.25%)
  • Best Choice
  • Quality Choice
  • Good Sense
  • Walgreens
  • Equaline
  • TopCare
  • Meijer
  • H-E-B
Eye Drops Advanced Relief (dextran 70 0.1%, polyethylene glycol 400 1% and tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%)
  • Walgreens
  • Kroger
  • CVS
  • Quality Choice
  • Foster and Thrive
  • Good Sense
  • DG Health
  • TopCare
  • Code Red
Dry Eye Relief Eye Drops (glycerin 0.2%, hypromellose 0.2% and polyethylene glycol 400 1%)
  • Geri Care
  • TopCare
  • Rite Aid
  • Leader by Cardinal Health
  • H-E-B
  • Foster and Thrive
  • Meijer
  • DG Health
  • Harris Teeter
  • Also sold at military exchanges
Ultra Lubricating Eye Drops (polyethylene 400 0.4%, propylene glycol 0.3%)
  • Leader by Cardinal Health
  • Harris Teeter
  • Foster and Thrive
  • Walgreens
  • Publix
  • Kroger
  • Good Sense
  • Meijer
  • CVS
  • Quality Choice
  • Avenova
Sterile Eye Drops (tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%)
  • Good Sense
  • Walgreens
  • Kroger
  • Harris Teeter
  • H-E-B
  • Rugby
  • Leader by Cardinal Health
  • Circle K
  • DG Health
  • Good Neighbor
  • TopCare
  • Best Choice
Sterile Eye Drops Redness Lubricant (glycerin 0.25% and naphazoline HCl 0.012%)
  • Cintas
  • Good Neighbor
  • Colirio
  • Leader by Cardinal Health
  • Equaline
  • Walgreens
  • Foster and Thrive
  • Rite Aid
Sterile Eye Drops Soothing Tears (polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% and propylene glycol 0.3%)
  • Rugby
  • Walgreens
Artificial Tears Sterile Lubricant Eye Drops (polyvinyl alcohol 0.5%, povidone 0.6%)
  • Leader by Cardinal Health
  • Good Sense
  • Good Neighbor
  • TopCare
  • Best Choice
  • Kroger
  • Publix
  • Quality Choice
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Event 98533. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. March 31, 2026.
  2. Recalls Background and Definitions. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. March 20, 2026.
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