Independent register of U.S. FDA drug recalls · updated Oct 10, 2026
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Sterility & contamination

A product that must be sterile could not be assured sterile, or was contaminated. A top reason for injectables, eye drops and IV products - loss of sterility assurance can lead to serious infections.

6,317 FDA drug recalls with this cause, newest first.

This is the single biggest cause in the register by a wide margin. It covers products that had to be sterile - injectables, eye drops, certain ointments - but could not be verified sterile, or were found contaminated during testing. Most of these recalls come from compounding pharmacies and outsourcing facilities after an FDA inspection finds gaps in how sterile products were made. Sterility failures are treated seriously because the products involved have the least room for error, going straight into the bloodstream or the eye.

Class II · Moderate risk

Acyclovir Ophthalmic 3% Ointment 5 Gm

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012 because FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1450-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Acetylcysteine

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012 because FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1449-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Acetic Acid

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012 because FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1448-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Acetazolamide

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012 because FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1447-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Zinc Chloride 10mg/Ml Injectable 30 Ml 60 Ml

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1644-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Water Bact Sterile -

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1643-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Voriconazole Ophthalmic 1%

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1642-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Vitamin K

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1641-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Verapamil HCL 10mg/Ml Injectable 80 Ml

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1640-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Vancomycin/Dexamethasone

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1639-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Vancomycin

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1638-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Vanadyl Sulfate Solution 200mcg/Ml Injectable 60 Ml

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1637-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Ultra-Test 200

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1636-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Twinject*** 0.3 Mg Injectable 1 Pk

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1635-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Trypan Blue Solution

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1634-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Tropicamide/Phenylephrine Ophthalmic 15:1 Solution 128 Ml 480…

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1633-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Tropicamide Ophthalmic P.F. 1% Solution 30 Ml

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1632-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Trocar Kit

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1631-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Trimix/Lidocaine 11.8mg/0.39mg/10.6mcg/1.7mg/Ml Injectable 30 Ml

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1630-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Trimix 9mg / 0.3mg /3.3mcg Injectable 6 Ml

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1629-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Triamcinolone Acetonide 4mg/Ml

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1628-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Tobramycin 1.4%

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1627-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Thiotepa

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1626-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Thiamine HCL 100mg/Ml Injectable 300 Ml 360 Ml 450 Ml

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1625-2012
Class II · Moderate risk

Theracys

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Franck's Lab Inc. initiated a recall of all Sterile Human Drugs distributed between 11/21/2011 and 05/21/2012. FDA environmental sampling revealed the presence of microorganisms and fungal growth in the clean room where sterile products were prepared.

Terminated Sterility / contamination Franck's Lab Inc., d.b.a. Franck's Compounding Lab D-1624-2012