Hong Thai inhaler pulled from UAE shelves following detection of microbial contamination.”
UAE orders withdrawal of Hong Thai herbal inhaler after discovery of microbial contamination.
On November 3, the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) announced a recall of the Hong Thai Herbal Inhaler (Yadom) from markets across the UAE.
The authority stated that laboratory testing detected microbial contamination in multiple batches of the Thai herbal nasal inhaler distributed locally.
n October, Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration announced a recall of a batch of a widely used inhaler, citing that it did not pass the mandatory microbial contamination tests.
In a three-page notice, the FDA reported that Batch ‘000332’ of ‘Herbal Inhaler Formula 2’ did not meet the required microbial contamination criteria. In response, the manufacturer, Hong Thai, quickly released a statement highlighting that “customer safety remains [their] top priority” and acknowledged their awareness of the problem.
Following the Thai advisory, the EDE acted promptly by testing all available batches in the local market to ensure their safety. Laboratory results confirmed that the levels of microbial contamination surpassed the acceptable limits for inhalation products as defined by international pharmacopeial standards.
The EDE explained that such elevated contamination levels could endanger consumer health. Consequently, it instructed that all batches of the product be removed from the market, not only the one flagged by Thai authorities.
The withdrawn batch bears the registration number G 309/62 and batch code 000332, produced on December 9, 2024, with an expiry date of December 8, 2027. Around 200,000 units from this batch were recalled across the UAE.
EDE announced that the withdrawal process is being conducted in collaboration with local municipalities and relevant regulatory agencies to guarantee that the product is entirely removed from all retail locations, including online stores.
The agency urged consumers to discontinue use of the product and to dispose of any remaining units safely. Individuals who have purchased the Hong Thai Herbal Inhaler (Yadom), batch number 000332 (manufactured on December 9, 2024, with an expiry date of December 8, 2027), are strongly advised to stop using it immediately.
EDE has urged residents in the UAE to consult a healthcare professional if they notice any abnormal reactions after using the inhaler, including breathing difficulties, nose irritation, or ongoing dizziness.
