Sparta, NJ, October 17, 2025
Last month, Health Canada issued a recall for an over-the-counter laxative tablet intended for temporary relief of constipation. The active ingredient in this product is sennosides, a vegetable laxative extracted from the senna plant. This recall pertains to a single lot at the retailer level and underscores the necessity of stringent product testing to ensure consumer safety.
The recall was initiated after testing revealed the affected lot exceeded acceptable limits for both total yeast and mold count (TYMC) and total aerobic microbiological count (TAMC). Elevated yeast and mold levels may signal contamination risks, posing potential health concerns, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems. A high TAMC may also indicate reduced microbial quality, potentially impacting product safety and shelf life.
Dedicated to helping companies prevent products that are out of specification, or that have contamination concerns, from reaching consumers are the scientists at MPL Laboratories. Their facility is fully equipped and accredited to provide testing for a broad spectrum of microbes and potential contaminants that could be present in a variety of goods and products. All testing takes place at MPL’s FDA registered and cGMP, ISO 17025 compliant laboratory. These services not only protect the public from exposure risks, they are also vital for avoiding costly product recalls, damaging public relations, and the potential legal fees that companies that manufacture, import, or distribute contaminated products may encounter.
To learn more about total yeast and mold counts, total aerobic microbiological counts, or other product testing services provided by MPL Laboratories, please visit www.MPLLaboratories.com, call (800) 548-1874, or email info@MPLLaboratories.com.
About MPL Laboratories
MPL Laboratories (formerly Marypaul Laboratories) was founded in 1985 as a full service microbiology laboratory. It is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited by PJLA, FDA, and DEA registered. MPL’s staff includes a Ph.D. Diplomat of the American Board of Toxicology, M.S. and B.S. degreed microbiologists, along with other dedicated scientific personnel. The microbiology testing laboratory serves the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care product industries. MPL strives to provide its clients with reliable, defensible test data delivered in a timely manner. The laboratory is part of the EMSL Analytical network of laboratories across the United States and Canada.
