Shares in retail giant Walmart (WMT) were lower today after an ointment which had been on sale in its stores was recalled because of a child poisoning risk.
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Walmart Hit By Packaging Fear
Plantimex has recalled approximately 50,330 of its Mamisan Lidocaine Ointment containers due to risk of serious injury or death from child poisoning if the product inside is swallowed by young children. The pain-relieving topical ointment’s packaging has been found to not be child-resistant.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said that to date no injuries or incidents had been reported.
The product was sold at Walmart and Target (TGT) stores nationwide and online at Target.com from April 2024 through October 2025 for about $10.
This is the latest safety recall to hit Walmart in recent weeks. Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to it and other top grocery retailers for continuing to sell recalled ByHeart baby formula that’s been linked to a botulism outbreak.
The letter directed Walmart to improve its efforts to remove the recalled products from its store shelves. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 51 babies who consumed ByHeart formula have been hospitalized for botulism, although none had died.
Other Dangerous Recalls
In October, Walmart pulled iFIT NordicTrack Rowing Machines from sale because of the risk of fire.
It has told fitness fans to immediately stop using and unplug the recalled rowing machines which cost $1,700.
These continuing recalls matter to Walmart because selling dangerous products can damage the company’s finances and reputation. It is why ability to sell is a key risk when investing in a retail stock.
Other Walmart product recalls this year include electric blankets which posed a fire hazard, faulty water bottles which caused two people to go blind, kids’ bikes which could lead to lead poisoning and radioactive shrimps.
Is WMT a Good Stock to Buy Now?
On TipRanks, WMT has a Strong Buy consensus based on 25 Buy ratings. Its highest price target is $136. WMT stock’s consensus price target is $123.63, implying a 9.76% upside.
