KIGALI, April 15 (Reuters) - Rwanda's drug regulator has

recalled a batch of Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) children's cough

syrup as a precautionary measure after its Nigerian counterpart

said laboratory tests found high levels of toxicity.

Rwanda joins Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa in recalling

the same batch of the syrup, which is used to treat coughs, hay

fever and other allergic reactions in children. South Africa has

also recalled an additional batch.

The batch recalled was made by J&J in South Africa in May

2021 but Kenvue ( KVUE ) now owns the Benylin Paediatric syrup

brand after a spin-off from J&J last year.

"A review of our safety database doesn't reveal any adverse

events reported," the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority said in a

statement dated April 12. "However, Rwanda FDA issues the

present recall for precautionary measures."

Laboratory tests on the syrup by Nigeria's health regulator

showed a high level of diethylene glycol, which has been linked

to the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia, Uzbekistan and

Cameroon since 2022 in one of the world's worst waves of

poisoning from oral medication.

Kenvue ( KVUE ) said in a statement that it was conducting its own

assessment and working with health authorities to determine a

course of action.