Vitamin C Supplement Sold Nationwide Recalled

As cold, flu, and Covid season approaches once again, many people turn to vitamin C supplements to boost their immune systems. However, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that one particular type of ascorbic acid sold nationwide has been voluntarily recalled for a shocking reason: a presence of glass particulates.

STASKA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Nebraska-based company behind the product, says that one lot of Ascorbic Acid Solution for Injection (Preservative Free, Non-Corn) 500mg/mL, 50mL has been affected by the recall. However, neither the company nor the FDA has specified how many individual units were in the affected lot.

The lot number associated with the contaminated products is SP2400058, and the expiration date is listed as December 31, 2024. The supplements, packaged in amber-colored vials, were distributed to healthcare providers between July 31, 2024 and August 27, 2024, but are now being recalled “to the user level.”

Ascorbic acid injections are most often prescribed to treat severe vitamin C deficiencies or scurvy in patients who cannot take oral supplements. In the US, 7.1% of people have a vitamin C deficiency, but scurvy is rare since most Americans get enough vitamin C through their diets, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Though the FDA has not yet classified the recall–which would indicate the degree of potential health hazard–they do suggest that use of a tainted product could have fatal consequences.

The recall notice mentions that local irritation or swelling could occur if the injectable produce contains particulate matter. But the potential side effects also could be much more serious, as the glass particulates “could travel through and block blood vessels in the heart, lungs or brain which can cause stroke and even lead to death,” according to the FDA. It’s noted that several factors could determine these reactions, “including the size and number of particles in the drug product, patient comorbidities, and the presence or absence of vascular anomalies.”

To date, no adverse effects have been reported in relation to the recall. The FDA instructs healthcare providers in possession of the recalled vials to stop using them, quarantine, and contact STASKA Pharmaceuticals directly to arrange for a return and replacement. It is not immediately clear why the health authority recommends “quarantine” as one of its safety measures.

If you have questions regarding the recall, consumers are told to contact STASKA Pharmaceuticals by phone at (402) 782-2207 or (888) 801-1370 (Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm CDT).

However, if you believe you are experiencing adverse effects related to the recall, the FDA recommends contacting your doctor or healthcare provider for medical assistance. Patients are also encouraged to report their adverse effects to the FDA via the MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting.

For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:

• Fisher-Price Recalls 21 Models of a Popular Product After 5 Deaths Reported
• Walmart Just Recalled Over 900,000 Packages of a Great Value Product
• 250,000 Covid Tests Sold Nationwide Recalled for False Results
• Kroger and 15 Other Grocers Just Recalled More Than a Dozen Products for Meat Safety Concerns