Microbial contaminated protective wipes and adhesive removers recalled

The DH endorsed Smith & Nephew Limited's proposal to recall eight types of its devices imported from the States because of potential pathogenic contamination.

A Department of Health spokesman explained that the eight products belonged to two categories.  The first comprises five types of protective wipes, used for skin preparation before the removal of tapes and films.  The second consists of three types of adhesive removers which can clean adhesive residues from the skin.

The spokesman said, "S&N's initiation comes following the DH's earlier call this January, advising the public not to use a US manufacturer, Triad Group's alcohol swab preparations after the US Food and Drug Administration's blanket market recall of the items because of the potential risk of contamination by a bacterium, Bacillus cereus.  At the same time, local medical device traders are advised to check if any of their products have been affected as a consequence."

Bacillus cereus is known to be able to cause life-threatening infections among at-risk populations, including surgical and immuno-compromised patients.  Thus far however, the DH has not been notified of any such infections.

S&N alerted the DH that its parent company in the States, Smith & Nephew Inc, has just announced a global recall on the above eight products as the items were also manufactured by the Triad Group and have been found to have the same risk of contamination by Bacillus cereus. 

The spokesman remarked that in fact S&N had only imported the first two items in the table, REMOVE Universal Adhesive Remover Wipes and SKIN-PREP Protective Wipes for sale in Hong Kong.  Therefore, the two would be the major targets of S&N's present recall. 

"However, mindful of the option of internet trading and also the possibility of possession by travellers, return of any of the other six items would also be handled," the spokesman clarified.