The Recall Desk
LowFDA (Devices)·Z-0074-2019·Announced 2018-10-10

Smiths Medical Portex Nasal Oxygen Cannula Recall for Labeling Error

Smiths Medical ASD Inc. is recalling 13,750 Portex First Breath Nasal Oxygen Cannulas because the 'Manufactured' and 'Use By' labels are transposed, incorrectly suggesting the product expired before it was manufactured.

What this means for you

Cosmetic or documentation issue. No expected health impact, but the manufacturer is correcting the affected products.

Our severity reasoning: The FDA classified this as a Class III recall, and the source text identifies the issue as a labeling error (transposed dates) rather than a physical defect or contamination, which aligns with the rubric for cosmetic or documentation issues.

Plain-English summary

Smiths Medical ASD Inc. is recalling 13,750 units of the Portex First Breath Nasal Oxygen Cannula, REF 001292. The affected devices include a Gas Monitoring Line, Male Luer Connector, Tubing, and Oxygen Adapter. The product is used for the administration of nasal oxygen and humidity to patients.

The recall was initiated because the 'Manufactured' and 'Use By' labels on the product are transposed incorrectly. This labeling error suggests that the product expires before it was manufactured. The affected lot numbers are 1702231A, 1703231A, and 1705163A.

The devices were distributed worldwide, including nationwide in the United States in the states of AR, CA, GA, IN, LA, OK, MA, MI, NC, NJ, NV, SC, TX, VA, and WV. Distribution also occurred in Poland and Russia. The FDA has classified this recall as Class III, indicating that use of or exposure to the violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

The recalled product

Product
smiths medical portex First Breath Nasal Oxygen Cannula, REF 001292, with Gas Monitoring Line, 305 cm (10ft.) & Male Luer Connector, 213 cm (7ft.) Tubing, & Oxygen Adapter. Product Usage: For the administration of nasal oxygen and humidity to patients.
Affected units
13,750

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (3)

  • Lot numbers 1702231A
  • 1703231A
  • and 1705163A

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

The notice also names 15 states specifically:

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 5 recalled by Smiths Medical ASD Inc. under a single FDA (Devices) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 5 products in this recall →

Same manufacturer · Smiths Medical ASD Inc.

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