The Recall Desk
ModerateFDA (Devices)·Z-1031-2014·Announced 2014-02-26

Zimmer Recalls 12/14 Femoral Heads Due to Packaging Validation Issues

Zimmer is recalling 12/14 femoral heads because packaging operations at its Puerto Rico facility were not properly validated, despite passing subsequent seal integrity tests.

What this means for you

Minor labeling or packaging issue, or a voluntary precautionary recall. Risk of harm is low but real — follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class II. The hazard is theoretical because the product passed seal integrity testing, and no illnesses or injuries are reported in the source text.

Plain-English summary

Zimmer, Inc. is recalling 12/14 COCR Femoral Heads and 12/14 Femoral Heads manufactured at its Zimmer Manufacturing B.V. facility in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The recall affects 7,044,680 units distributed worldwide, including the United States and numerous international markets.

The recall was initiated after Zimmer reviewed historic packaging validations and determined that packaging operations in Building 1 of the facility were not properly validated. Although subsequent seal integrity testing showed that the packaging trays met acceptance criteria for sterile barrier integrity, Zimmer decided to recall all non-expired lots sterile packaged in that specific operation.

Healthcare providers and patients should check their inventory and patient records for the specific catalog numbers listed in the official recall notice. If you have questions about whether a specific implant is affected, contact Zimmer, Inc. or your healthcare provider.

The recalled product

Product
12/14 COCR FEMORAL HEAD (2, 3 and 4); 12/14 FEMORAL HEAD (+7X28M and 7X32M)
Manufacturer
Zimmer, Inc.
Affected units
7,044,680

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 44 recalled by Zimmer, 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 44 products in this recall →