Why did the FDA issue a warning about Zicam?
The product may damage or destroy a person’s sense of smell, according to the FDA. It is a condition called anosmia. Since 1999, the FDA has received complaints from 130 people who reported losing their sense of smell after using Zicam. However, hundreds of people have filed lawsuits against Matrixx Initiatives claiming Zicam damaged their sense of smell. According to a report in the New York Times, the company settled 340 lawsuits for $12 million. The company also received more than 800 reports of customers losing their sense of smell, but did not provide the FDA with those reports. Note that the FDA did not issue a formal recall about Zicam, but a warning. Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. voluntarily recalled the products from stores.
