Incorrect probiotic strain used in formulation which did not match product labeling.
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Contact the company
📍Recalling firmMerical, LLC233 E Bristol Ln · Orange, CA 92865-2715
✎ GovInfoNow plain-language explainer
Merical, LLC is recalling Walgreens Probiotic 12.5 Billion Active Cultures (30 capsules) because the formulation used the wrong bacterial strain. The product contains L. acidophilus La-5 instead of the L. acidophilus La-14 strain stated on the label. This is a Class III recall involving incorrect labeling of dietary supplement ingredients. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/17651-walgreens-probiotic-recall-incorrect-strain-used.
“Walgreens Probiotic Recall: Incorrect Strain Used.” GovInfoNow, updated October 11, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/17651-walgreens-probiotic-recall-incorrect-strain-used. Based on FDA recall #F-1275-2019 (https://api.fda.gov/food/enforcement.json?search=recall_number:%22F-1275-2019%22&limit=1).
The FDA announced on March 19, 2019, that Merical, LLC is recalling Walgreens Probiotic 12.5 Billion Active Cultures because the product contains an incorrect probiotic strain. The agency classified the recall as Class III.
How to tell if you have it
Walgreens Probiotic 12.5 Billion Active Cultures, 30 capsules
UPC: 311917191119
Item Number: 981914
Product Number: WGNS 981914
Pkg Numbers: 834627045 and 903727801
Expiration Dates: 06/20
The hazard
The probiotic blend contains L. acidophilus La-5 strain instead of the L. acidophilus La-14 strain stated on the label, according to the FDA.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Merical, LLC has issued three other recalls since October 31, 2019. On January 9, 2020, a Merical glucosamine supplement was recalled for lacking a shellfish allergen warning. Other recent recalls of similar products include Member's Mark Super Greens (October 24, 2025), Wellnov Liposomal D3-5000IU Spray (April 23, 2026), Wellnov Liposomal D3+B12 Spray (April 23, 2026), and Wellnov Liposomal Sleep Spray (April 23, 2026).
How to tell if you have this one
Check for Walgreens Probiotic 12.5 Billion Active Cultures, 30 capsules with Item Number 981914 and Product Number WGNS 981914. Look for UPC Code 311917191119. Verify the expiration date is 06/20 and check package numbers 834627045 or 903727801.
FDA distribution: “One customer in IL and then to retail stores nationwide.” States read from FDA’s own wording; “not listed” means the notice does not name it.
Distributed nationwide.
Recall timeline
FDA terminated this recall 10 months after the firm started it.
1Firm started the recall
2FDA classified it Class III
3Published in FDA’s Enforcement Report
4FDA terminated the recall
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official FDA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Official source: FDA Recall #F-1275-2019 (March 19, 2019) — FDA publishes no per-recall page; this is the official machine-readable enforcement record. Search FDA recalls for F-1275-2019 to see it in context.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3.6:35b-a3b on October 11, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the FDA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official FDA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.