The Recall Desk
HighFDA (Devices)·Z-0979-2013·Announced 2013-04-03

Cardinal Health Recalls Needle Counters Due to Packaging Defects

Cardinal Health is recalling specific lots of sterile needle counters because small holes in the packaging may compromise sterility.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class II, and the hazard involves a risk of harm (compromised sterility) for a medical device where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Cardinal Health is recalling specific lots of Needle Counters with Blade Disarmer. The recall involves two catalog numbers: 4FA40SSA (Adhesive Area) and 4FM40SSA (Magnetic Area). The affected units are sterile disposal systems used for counting used surgical blades and needles.

The recall was initiated because small holes, approximately 1 mm or less, were found in the device unit-level packaging. These defects potentially compromise the sterility of the product. The recall covers 96 units of catalog number 4FA40SSA (lot number 763998) and 32,592 units of catalog number 4FM40SSA (all lot numbers less than or equal to 933099).

The affected products were distributed nationwide in the United States, as well as in Australia, Canada, and Japan. Users should check their inventory for the specific catalog and lot numbers listed above and stop using the affected units.

The recalled product

Product
Needle Counters with Blade Disarmer; 11.5 x 6.5 x 3.3 cm; 20 Count/40 Capacity; Sterile; Removable Numbered Foam Block; Adhesive Area (Cat. No. 4FA40SSA) Needle Counters with Blade Disarmer; 11.5 x 6.5 x 3.3 cm; 20 Count/40 Capacity; Sterile; Removable Numbered Foam Block; Mag
Manufacturer
Cardinal Health

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 9 recalled by Cardinal Health 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 9 products in this recall →