The Recall Desk
SevereFDA (Devices)·Z-0141-2025·Announced 2024-11-06

GE Healthcare Infant Incubator Recall: Airborne Formaldehyde Off-Gassing

GE Healthcare Giraffe Incubator Carestation CS1 units may release airborne formaldehyde residue during initial use. Manufacturer notified customers in June 2023 to run incubators for one week to off-gas any residual formaldehyde, which can cause eye irritation.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: FDA Class I classification establishes a minimum severity of 4 (Severe) per agency guidelines. The hazard is limited to sensory eye irritation without reported serious injury or hospitalization, preventing classification as Critical (5).

Plain-English summary

The GE Healthcare Giraffe Incubator Carestation CS1 (32 model variants) is subject to recall due to potential airborne formaldehyde exposure during initial use. A total of 224 units have been distributed worldwide.

Prior to current manufacturing practices, newly manufactured incubators could release higher levels of airborne formaldehyde during clinical use. These levels would rapidly decrease over approximately one week. The manufacturer notified affected customers in June 2023 to run incubators for one week to potentially off-gas any residual airborne formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde exposure can cause sensory irritation of the eyes, which is the most sensitive endpoint to formaldehyde exposure at the lowest exposure concentrations.

Affected customers should follow the manufacturer's guidance to run incubators for one week before clinical use to minimize formaldehyde off-gassing. For specific product details including serial numbers and lot codes, refer to the FDA recall notice.

The recalled product

Product
GE Healthcare Giraffe Incubator Carestation CS1, Infant Incubator. Model Numbers: 1) 2082844-002-01040417; 2) 2082844-002-01044956; 3) 2082844-002-01058424; 4) 2082844-002-01069017; 5) 2082844-002-01089666; 6) 2082844-002-01090474; 7) 2082844-002-01091269; 8) 208
Manufacturer
DATEX--OHMEDA, INC.
Hazard
  • formaldehyde-exposure
  • eye-irritation

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 (20)

  • 1) 2082844-002-01040417
  • UDI: (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70003(11)230106
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70004(11)230109
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70011(11)230110
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70012(11)230110
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70013(11)230111
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70015(11)230112
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70016(11)230112
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70020(11)230112
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70022(11)230112
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70024(11)230112
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70147(11)230317
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70148(11)230317
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70149(11)230317
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70150(11)230317
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70152(11)230320
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70153(11)230320
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70155(11)230322
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70158(11)230322
  • (01)00840682116855(21)TAAC70159(11)230323

Distribution

Distribution scope not specified by the agency.