Benadryl Recall Highlights Dangers in Child Safety and Online Purchases

At KBD Attorneys, we’ve long been raising the alarm about unsafe products sold online—especially on Amazon. We maintain a public database of hazardous items sold through e-commerce platforms to protect families from exactly this kind of risk. Now, our warnings have once again been validated. On March 20, 2025, Arsell Inc. issued a nationwide recall for its Benadryl Liquid Elixir (100 mL bottles) due to a serious and deeply disturbing hazard: the product was not sold in child-resistant packaging, in violation of federal law.

While no injuries have yet been reported, the potential consequences are chilling. This product contains diphenhydramine, a powerful antihistamine, and without child-resistant packaging, it poses a life-threatening risk of poisoning to children. The very idea that something so dangerous could be sold online and shipped directly to homes across the country—with no protective packaging to keep children safe—is unacceptable.

This is not just about defective packaging. It’s about a failure to uphold the most basic standard of consumer safety: protecting our children.

What’s Being Recalled—and Why It’s So Dangerous

The recall involves approximately 2,300 units of Benadryl Liquid Elixir, sold in 100 mL round dark plastic bottles with a pink and white label bearing the brand name “Benadryl.” The medicine was sold through Amazon.com between July 2023 and October 2024, retailing for $16 to $19.

The problem isn’t the medicine itself—but the packaging. According to the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), any medication containing diphenhydramine must be sold in child-resistant packaging. That’s not just a guideline—it’s federal law. The goal of this law is to prevent children from accidentally ingesting harmful or fatal doses of certain substances. In this case, Arsell’s version of Benadryl completely bypassed this critical requirement, and Amazon facilitated the sale of a product that violated U.S. safety standards.

To receive a refund, consumers must contact Arsell and submit proof of disposal. The medicine must be discarded—because despite being therapeutically safe in adult doses, diphenhydramine in a child’s hands can quickly turn toxic. Arsell has committed to directly contacting all known purchasers, but how many more might still have these bottles in their cabinets, unaware of the silent threat?

A Heartbreaking Risk: Poisoning in the Home

Every parent knows the reality: children are curious. They climb, explore, and put things in their mouths. What might seem like an ordinary bottle of medicine to an adult can appear as candy or juice to a toddler. And in cases like this—where the packaging is not properly child-resistant—a moment of distraction can lead to tragedy.

Diphenhydramine overdose in children can cause confusion, hallucinations, seizures, cardiac distress, and even death. Even a small dose—if swallowed by a young child—can lead to hospitalization or worse. According to the CDC, accidental poisoning remains one of the leading causes of injury-related deaths in children under 5 years old. The PPPA was enacted to prevent such tragedies, and companies that ignore it are not just negligent—they are gambling with children’s lives.

We at KBD Attorneys are devastated, though not surprised, to see yet another example of Amazon allowing a potentially deadly product to be sold directly to families. And while Arsell bears responsibility for its violations, Amazon must also answer for its role in distributing this dangerous item.

Amazon’s Ongoing Problem with Unsafe Products

Let’s be clear: this is not the first time a dangerous product has made its way into American homes through Amazon.

KBD Attorneys has been tracking and warning the public about unsafe products on Amazon for years. That’s why we maintain a dedicated Amazon Product Hazard Watchlist—a continually updated resource that exposes unsafe, recalled, or non-compliant items sold on the platform. From electrical fire hazards to choking risks, and now, child poisoning threats, these aren’t rare outliers—they’re part of a pattern.

Amazon continues to operate a marketplace where third-party sellers can list products with minimal oversight. Many are international sellers that may not be familiar with—or may choose to ignore—U.S. safety regulations. This system makes it dangerously easy for non-compliant, unsafe, or counterfeit products to reach American consumers.

And in this case, what’s most outrageous is that the danger was entirely preventable. A simple child-resistant cap could have changed everything. But it wasn’t there.

KBD Attorneys: Advocating for Accountability and Prevention

As attorneys and advocates, we’ve helped countless families navigate the heartbreak and confusion that follows when a defective or dangerous product causes harm. We pursue product liability claims not only to help victims recover damages—but to hold negligent companies accountable and force meaningful change.

If your child has been harmed by a product sold online—whether through Amazon, another marketplace, or in a brick-and-mortar store—we want to hear your story. The emotional and financial toll of these events can be overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to bear it alone.

When companies prioritize profit over safety, it’s families that pay the price. And when children are put at risk, someone must stand up for them. That’s what we do at KBD.

What You Should Do Right Now

If you purchased this Benadryl product from Amazon or suspect you may have it in your home:

1. Immediately remove the product from your child’s reach. Store it in a secure, high location or dispose of it properly.

2. Check the bottom of the package for the code: “X003VRIGUL.” If you see this code, your product is affected by the recall.

3. Contact Arsell at recall@arsellsupport.com to request a refund. Include your Amazon order number and a photo showing the product’s disposal.

4. Report the product to the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) if you believe others may still be at risk.

5. Tell others. Share this information with friends, family, and parenting communities—especially those who frequently shop on Amazon.

Your Family Deserves Better

No parent should live in fear that a routine medication purchase could endanger their child. And yet, stories like this are becoming all too common in today’s e-commerce landscape. At KBD Attorneys, we won’t stop until online marketplaces and product manufacturers are held to the same safety standards that consumers expect—and children deserve.

If you’ve been affected by a dangerous product, or you’re concerned about your family’s safety, reach out to us. We offer free consultations and will guide you through every step of the legal process with care, compassion, and strength.

Visit our website to explore our Amazon Dangerous Products Watchlist, learn more about your legal options, and access helpful resources on keeping your home safe.

Because when it comes to protecting our children, silence is not an option.

KBD Attorneys
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Take care of the client, and the rest will take care of itself.