UAE Mandates Recall of Contaminated Face Mask Batch, Citing Foreign Material Concerns

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has initiated a recall for a specific batch of face masks due to significant concerns regarding potential contamination of the manufacturing material. The Emirates Drug Establishment has officially issued the recall for the 'Nin 160 FMB-NML Facemask C G blue' product, identified by batch number 20251015. This particular batch is described as blue and features a three-ply construction.

In response to the recall order, the Dubai Health Authority disseminated a circular on Monday, directing all healthcare centers to adhere to the mandated recall procedures. The masks in question were manufactured by Ningbo ETDZ Holdings Ltd in China and subsequently distributed within the UAE by Globemed Care LLC, according to officials.

The drug regulator stated that the recall was prompted by a quality complaint, which led to inspections that uncovered foreign material or contamination within units from the affected batch. Consequently, healthcare professionals, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies are strictly instructed to cease the sale, supply, distribution, or use of any masks from this specific batch immediately. They are required to identify and quarantine all existing stock and arrange for its return to the local supplier, Globemed Care LLC. Furthermore, meticulous records of all identified, quarantined, and returned quantities must be maintained.

Residents who have acquired the affected product are advised to discontinue the use of any packs bearing the batch number 20251015 and to return them to their point of purchase or supplier. Healthcare providers are also obligated to report any product quality complaints or adverse incidents associated with these masks through the EDE-approved reporting channels.

Globemed Care LLC has been directed by the regulator to retrieve all distributed quantities of the affected masks from the UAE market. The company must also furnish the regulator with comprehensive details regarding the quantities imported, distributed, returned, and currently remaining in stock, along with a complete distribution list for the UAE. The regulator has further encouraged the public to report any quality concerns or adverse incidents involving the product directly to the authority.