VITEK 2 Gram Negative test kits containing colistin (cs01n)

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-2770-2017) was formally reported on August 2, 2017, with the manufacturer initiating the action on May 16, 2017. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Biomerieux Inc is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Hazelwood, MO. Federal records indicate 1,520,000 cards units are affected, placing this recall in the million-unit bracket that typically triggers nationwide consumer alerts and retailer sweeps.

The documented reason for this recall is: The investigation demonstrated a high rate of very major errors (resistant isolates calling susceptible) with the VITEK¿ 2 AST-GN colistin (cs01n) compared to agar dilution (the reference method used for cs01n develop… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Domestic: NC. Foreign: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Neth…. 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 9 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.