PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported October 31, 2018

BACT/ALERT VIRTUO system, A Unit, with Version R2.0 Firmware Product Usage: The BacT/ALERT VIRTU Microbial Detection System is an automated microbial test system capable of incubating, agitating, and continuously monitoring for the detection of aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic microorganism growth from blood and other normally sterile body fluids.

The BACT/ALERT VIRTUO Instrument Firmware version R2.0 allows relocation of the four (4) resident calibration standards so that Field System Engineers (FSE) can service the assoc…

Recall #
Z-0228-2019
Affected scope
516 units
Initiated
June 27, 2018
Verify with FDA Devices →
View my saved recalls

bioMerieux, Inc. recalled BACT/ALERT VIRTUO system, A Unit, with Version R2.0 Firmware Product Usage: The BacT/… - a moderate-severity action.

BACT/ALERT VIRTUO system, A Unit, with Version R2.0 Firmware Product Usage: The BacT/… was recalled by bioMerieux, Inc. in October 31, 2018. Reason: The BACT/ALERT VIRTUO Instrument Firmware version R2.0 allows relocation of the four (4) resident calibration…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-0228-2019 with the FDA Devices before acting.

The recall

bioMerieux, Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-The BACT/ALERT VIRTUO Instrument Firmware version R2.0 allows relocation of the four (4) resident calibration….

Moderate
severity level
516 units
affected scope
Class II
classification
October 31, 2018
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-0228-2019 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This recall's affected scope, documented in the Recall Profile below, stays within a single-region or limited-distribution footprint. Distribution scope (see Distribution below) directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from FDA Devices - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Medical Devices recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 41,021 medical devices recalls on record

01,0002,0003,0004,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,947
Severity1906864652High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this agency-classified recall sits among FDA Class I/II/III notices

Of 88,244 recalls with an agency hazard classification, 19,068 are high severity, 64,652 moderate, and 4,524 low. A further 16,179 CPSC/NHTSA recalls have no agency class and are excluded from this split. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Product description

BACT/ALERT VIRTUO system, A Unit, with Version R2.0 Firmware Product Usage: The BacT/ALERT VIRTU Microbial Detection System is an automated microbial test system capable of incubating, agitating, and continuously monitoring for the detection of aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic microorganism growth from blood and other normally sterile body fluids.

Reason for recall

The BACT/ALERT VIRTUO Instrument Firmware version R2.0 allows relocation of the four (4) resident calibration standards so that Field System Engineers (FSE) can service the associated cells P24 - P27, where the calibration standards typically reside. If the calibration standards are not returned to the designated locations, an anomaly may occur.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the FDA Devices recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Severity class Moderate (Class II)
Status Terminated
Recall number Z-0228-2019
Date reported October 31, 2018
Date initiated June 27, 2018
Recalling firm bioMerieux, Inc.
Firm location Durham, NC
Affected scope 516 units
Distribution Worldwide - US Nationwide distribution in the states of AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MI, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WV. Distributed internationally to Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cana…

Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Scale of Impact

516 units units affected - limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) ✓ This recall
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) -
Large-scale (100K – 1M units) -
Massive (≥1M units) -

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration filings.

What to do with this recall

Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.

  • Check the recall number (Z-0228-2019) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status with FDA Devices before acting, recall details can be updated.
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official FDA Devices record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
BACT/ALERT VIRTUO system, A Unit, with Version R2.0 Firmware Product Usage: The BacT/ALERT VIRTU Microbial Detection System is an automated microbial test system capable of incubating, agitating, and continuously monitoring for the detection of aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic microorganism growth from blood and other normally sterile body fluids.. Recalled by bioMerieux, Inc.. Units affected: 516 units.
Why was this product recalled?
The BACT/ALERT VIRTUO Instrument Firmware version R2.0 allows relocation of the four (4) resident calibration standards so that Field System Engineers (FSE) can service the associated cells P24 - P27, where the calibration standards typically reside. If the calibration standards are not returned to the designated locations, an anomaly may occur.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on October 31, 2018. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-0228-2019.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Worldwide - US Nationwide distribution in the states of AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MI, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WV. Distributed internationally to Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Switzerland, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Singapore, Thailand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Myanmar, Serbia, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, Qatar, Costa Rica, Croatia, Panama, Estonia, Israel, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Kuwait..
Should I stop using a recalled medication or medical device?
Do not stop using a recalled medication or device without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abruptly discontinuing treatment could pose its own health risks. Your doctor can advise on alternatives or whether the recall applies to your specific product lot. Check the recall number and lot information against your product packaging.

Nationwide recalls with similar severity or category timing

Drug and device notices outside this firm and state, matched by severity timing and product category.

Compare this recall with GORE VIABIL Short Wire Biliary Endoprosthesis, Model No. VS… → · All Medical Devices recalls

This recall: FDA Devices, reported October 31, 2018. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy; related-recall context is computed across the full archive.

Methodology · Corrections · Archive as of August 2026