Triad Recall for Povidine Iodine Prep Pads Due to Risk of Serious Infections

A recall has been announced for Povidine Iodine Prep Pads manufactured by Triad Group, because they could have bacterial contamination that may cause serious infections. The pads were made with some of the same raw ingredients as Triad Alcohol Prep pads recalled earlier this year. 

The Triad Povidine Iodine Prep Pad recall was announced on March 15 in a press release by Triad’s parent company, H&P Industries, Inc. The action comes after the FDA expressed concern about systemic sterility problems in a number of Triad products, which has already resulted in the recall of millions of alcohol prep pads, swabs and swab sticks due to microbial contamination.

This latest Triad recall was issued after some Povidine Iodine Prep Pads were found to be contaminated with Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, a bacteria that can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and necrotizing faciistis, also known as flesh-eating bacteria. The manufacturer reports that there have been no illnesses or infections reported in connection to the recalled iodine pads.

All lots of Povidine prep pads manufactured by H&P Industries are included in the recall. The pads are used to prevent infections from minor wounds, such as cuts and burns, and were sold under a variety of labels, including Cardinal Health, Medical Specialties, VHA, Triad, Triad Plus, North Safety and Total Resources. The recalled pads were packaged individually and sold in boxes of 100 packets.

The Triad Povidine Iodine Prep Pad recall comes almost three months after the Triad alcohol prep pads recall was issued due to potential contamination with a different bacteria, Bacillus cereus, which has reportedly caused a number of users to suffer serious infections.

FDA investigators have been aware of sterility problems at Triad Group’s Wisconsin manufacturing facility since at least July 2009, but say they only realized there was a public health threat late last year following reports of Bacillus cereus contamination of alcohol prep pads used to clean injection and surgical sites from a Colorado hospital.

The FDA has received at least 100 reports from consumers who have had problems with the alcohol prep pads and wipes since the first Trial recall. Bacillus cereus on the alcohol prep pads could cause skin infection, or if the bacteria is pushed into the skin after the surface is cleaned with one of the wipes, it could result in potentially life-threatening infection.

At least two Triad alcohol prep pad lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer, including a Bacillus cereus infection wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a two-year-old Houston boy who died after becoming infected by the contaminated alcohol wipes.