Agency classClass IIOur severity:Low FDA (Devices)·Z-0768-2018·Announced 2018-03-07

Steris Recalls Vis-U-All High Temperature Sterilization Pouches Due to Ink Migration

Steris Corporation is recalling Vis-U-All High Temperature Sterilization Pouches because purple ink on the exterior label may migrate during steam processing, causing cosmetic defects and potential ink transfer to enclosed devices.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Devices): Class II

Class II is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 1/5 (Low).

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

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly identifies the issue as causing 'cosmetic defects' and ink transference, which aligns with the rubric criterion for cosmetic defects and packaging-only problems.

Plain-English summary

Steris Corporation is recalling Vis-U-All High Temperature Sterilization Pouches, specifically Model #884510, Lots #161235A and #170235A. The recall involves 352 units distributed nationwide in the United States. These pouches are designed for healthcare providers to enclose and seal medical devices for steam sterilization.

The recall was initiated after Steris identified on June 15, 2017, that the purple ink on the outside label of the pouches may migrate following steam processing. This migration can cause cosmetic defects on the exterior of the pouch and, in some instances, result in the transfer of ink onto the medical devices contained within the pouch.

Healthcare providers and consumers should check their inventory for the specific model and lot numbers listed above. If these products are found, they should be removed from use and returned to Steris Corporation or the point of purchase for a refund or replacement, as directed by the company.

The recalled product

Product: Vis-U-All High Temp 5.5"x10" Self Seal Pouch 200 pouches per box; 4 boxes per case Product Usage: The Vis-U-All High Temperature Sterilization Pouch is suitable for use by healthcare providers to enclose and seal medical devices to be sterilized by steam. The pouch is…
Manufacturer: Steris Corporation
Category: Medical Device — Sterilization Pouches
Hazard: cosmetic-defect
ink-migration
Affected units: 352

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 (1)

Model# 884510 Lot# 161235A and #170235A

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 29 recalled by Steris Corporation 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 29 products in this recall →

Same manufacturer · Steris Corporation

See all →

Severe
Steris Recalls VERIFY Biological Steam Test Packs Due to Spore Population Concerns
FDA (Devices) · 2026-10-14
Severe
Steris VERIFY Biological/Integrator Challenge Pack Recall for Spore Population Defect
FDA (Devices) · 2026-10-14
Severe
Steris VERIFY Biological Indicator Recall Due to Spore Population Concerns
FDA (Devices) · 2026-10-14
Severe
Steris VERIFY Biological Steam Test Pack Recalled for Spore Population Defect
FDA (Devices) · 2026-10-14
Moderate
Steris HexaVue Focus Integration System Recalled for Patient Data Mismatch
FDA (Devices) · 2026-10-14

Same hazard · cosmetic defect