Severity
Moderate
smith&nephew PROFIX Mallet, 750 GRAMS, REF 71512452 - Product Usage: The PROFIX Mallet is a reusable surgical instrument used to tap instruments or implants during knee or hip surgery.
Reported: December 25, 2019 Initiated: November 11, 2019 #Z-0696-2020 1371 devices units
Smith & Nephew, Inc. issued this FDA Devices recall on December 25, 2019. Classified as Moderate severity (Class II). Approximately 1371 devices units are affected. The recall was issued because: There is a a potential failure mode associated with the use of the mallet, wherein the poly tip of the mallet may becom…. This recall notice is sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.
Recall Insight
This FDA Devices action (record #Z-0696-2020) was formally reported on December 25, 2019, with the manufacturer initiating the action on November 11, 2019. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Smith & Nephew, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Memphis, TN. Federal records indicate 1371 devices units are affected.
The documented reason for this recall is: There is a a potential failure mode associated with the use of the mallet, wherein the poly tip of the mallet may become loose and/or come off during use. If the potential failure mode occurs, particles generated in the… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide distribution - US Nationwide distribution and countries of Belgium, Canada, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Switzerl…. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.
To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 6 were also issued by FDA Devices. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 7 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.
Recall Distribution by Severity Class
Units Affected
1371 devices
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product Description
smith&nephew PROFIX Mallet, 750 GRAMS, REF 71512452 - Product Usage: The PROFIX Mallet is a reusable surgical instrument used to tap instruments or implants during knee or hip surgery.
Reason for Recall
There is a a potential failure mode associated with the use of the mallet, wherein the poly tip of the mallet may become loose and/or come off during use. If the potential failure mode occurs, particles generated in the poly thread potentially could enter the surgical field or a delay in surgery could occur if the tip disengages during the use of the mallet.
Details
- Recalling Firm
- Smith & Nephew, Inc.
- Units Affected
- 1371 devices
- Distribution
- Worldwide distribution - US Nationwide distribution and countries of Belgium, Canada, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela.
- Location
- Memphis, TN
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-0696-2020 |
| Date reported | December 25, 2019 |
| Date initiated | November 11, 2019 |
| Recalling firm | Smith & Nephew, Inc. |
| Units affected | 1371 devices |
| Distribution | Worldwide distribution - US Nationwide distribution and countries of Belgium, Canada, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Switzerland, United Arab Emi… |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
smith&nephew PROFIX Mallet, 750 GRAMS, REF 71512452 - Product Usage: The PROFIX Mallet is a reusable surgical instrument used to tap instruments or implants during knee or hip surgery.. Recalled by Smith & Nephew, Inc.. Units affected: 1371 devices.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
There is a a potential failure mode associated with the use of the mallet, wherein the poly tip of the mallet may become loose and/or come off during use. If the potential failure mode occurs, particles generated in the poly thread potentially could enter the surgical field or a delay in surgery could occur if the tip disengages during the use of the mallet.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on December 25, 2019. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-0696-2020.
Where was the recalled product distributed? ▼
Distribution: Worldwide distribution - US Nationwide distribution and countries of Belgium, Canada, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (Z-0696-2020) against your product. Visit the official FDA Devices website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
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.
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Recall Context
Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.
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Data Sources
Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.
- Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
- Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
- Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
- Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)
Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS — demographic + housing + income data. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage + employment by occupation. bls.gov/oes
- BEA Regional Economic Accounts — GDP + personal income by state/metro. bea.gov/data/regional
- U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns — establishment + employment by industry. census.gov/cbp
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) — tax-return aggregate data. irs.gov/statistics
- data.gov — U.S. federal open-data portal — discovery layer for additional federal sources. data.gov
Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).