The Recall Desk
HighFDA (Devices)·Z-1139-2018·Announced 2018-03-28

BD Vacutainer Tubes Recalled for Lead Test Inaccuracy

Becton Dickinson is recalling specific Vacutainer tubes because they may cause underestimation of lead levels in blood samples when used with certain assays.

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 involves a risk-of-harm product where the hazard is diagnostic inaccuracy (underestimation of lead) that could lead to delayed treatment, but no specific injuries or illnesses are reported in the source text.

Plain-English summary

Becton Dickinson & Company is recalling BD Vacutainer EDTA Lavender, Tan, and Pink Top Tubes and BD Vacutainer Lithium Heparin Green Top Tubes. The recall involves 1,116,012,050 units distributed in 46 states and Puerto Rico.

The FDA determined that these tubes can cause an underestimation of lead in blood samples when used with Magellan Diagnostics LeadCare assays or any other assay employing Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) methodology. This inaccuracy could lead to incorrect clinical results for patients being tested for lead exposure.

Healthcare facilities and laboratories should stop using the affected catalog numbers for lead testing with ASV-based assays. Consumers should contact their healthcare provider if they have had recent blood lead tests using these specific tubes to discuss the potential impact on their results.

The recalled product

Product
BD Vacutainer¿ EDTA Lavender Top Tubes: Catalog Numbers: 1. 366401 (UDI: 50382903664011); 2. 366450 (UDI: 50382903664509); 3. 366643 (UDI: 50382903666435); 4. 367835 (UDI: 50382903678353); 5. 367841 (UDI: 50382903678414); 6. 367844 (UDI: 50382903678445); 7. 367856 (UDI: 503829036
Affected units
1,116,012,050

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 (15)

  • All lots. Catalog Number (Shelf Life): 1. 366401 (24 months)
  • 2. 366450 (24 months)
  • 3. 366643 (12 months)
  • 4. 367835 (16 months)
  • 5. 367841 (15 months)
  • 6. 367844 (16 months)
  • 7. 367856 (16 months)
  • 8. 367861 (16 months)
  • 9. 367862 (16 months)
  • 10. 367863 (17 months)
  • 11. 368021 (16 months)
  • 12. 368047 (15 months)
  • 13. 368054 (16 months)
  • 14. 368661 (17 months)
  • 15. 364300 (Requested)

Distribution

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 4 recalled by Becton Dickinson & Company 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 4 products in this recall →