The products purchased with faulty or missing tamper seals included children’s medicine, Calpol, Sensodyne toothpaste for children and Listerine mouthwash. Each of which were purchased at different retailers (two in the county of Hampshire and one in the county of Surrey).

The products were replaced by the retailers,  with shop managers visibly concerned. One Boots chemist was shocked that a product’s seal could be broken even when it was kept behind the counter. This poses the question as to whether the seals are getting broken at the end retailer or at the producer’s packing facilities.

Broken tamper seals concern

QUALITY control is a very serious matter for companies such as McNeil  (part of Johnson & Johnson), which owns Calpol. Johnson & Johnson had a terrible scare in the US with the 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders when  seven people died after taking pain-relief capsules that had been poisoned.

The incident led to reforms in the packaging of over-the-counter substances and to federal anti-tampering laws.

The case remains unsolved and no suspects have been charged. A $100,000 reward, offered by Johnson & Johnson for the capture and conviction of the "Tylenol Killer," has never been claimed.

The recent incidences could be a case of poor quality control, but everyone must continue to be vigilant and check safety seals before purchasing.

The MHRA will be notified of the incidents, said Hampshire Trading Standards.

By Katherine Steiner-Dicks