IV Saline Recalled Nationwide Over Possible Fiberglass Contamination, FDA Says

Baxter International Inc. issued a voluntary recall of two lots of 0.9% sodium chloride injection on Aug. 25.

Published: 8/28/2026, 5:21:53 PM EDT

IV Saline Recalled Nationwide Over Possible Fiberglass Contamination, FDA Says — The logo of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seen on a sign outside the agency's White Oak campus in Silver Spring, Maryland, on July 17, 2025. (Issam Ahmed/AFP via Getty Images)

Select batches of a common intravenous fluid have been recalled nationwide over concerns the product may contain fiberglass particles.

Baxter International Inc. issued a voluntary recall of two lots of 0.9 percent sodium chloride injection, also known as normal saline, on Tuesday, according to an Aug. 26 notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Sodium chloride injection is commonly used to replace fluids and electrolytes, to dilute other medications, or to serve as a priming solution for hemodialysis procedures.

The affected batches, packaged in 500-milliliter VIAFLEX plastic containers in 24-unit cases, include lots Y495523 and Y495523A and feature an expiration date of Oct. 31, 2027.

The solution was shipped from July 31 through Aug. 3 to health care providers and distributors in more than a dozen states, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

Baxter issued a voluntary nationwide recall on Aug. 25, 2026, for two lots of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. (Courtesy U.S. Food and Drug Administration) — Baxter issued a voluntary nationwide recall on Aug. 25, 2026, for two lots of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. Courtesy U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Baxter has been notifying customers via email about the recall and said use of the product should be discontinued immediately. All affected solutions should be returned in accordance with their facility's regulations. Per the company's announcement, continued use of the recalled lots may pose serious health risks to consumers.

"Particulate [fiberglass] matter can cause blockage and clotting in blood vessels, which can cut off blood flow to vital organs, lead to a life-threatening blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and cause permanent organ damage or death," Baxter said. "Additionally, these particles may cause local vein irritation, inflammatory reaction, aggravation of preexisting infections, and allergic reactions."

The company has not received any reports of any health issues in connection with the recall as of the date of the notice. However, adverse reactions or other quality problems related to using the product can be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

On Tuesday, Baxter also recalled one lot of its anticoagulant sodium citrate solution over similar fiberglass contamination concerns, along with one lot of 70 percent dextrose injection due to the possible presence of stainless steel particles, per an FDA notice.

The string of recalls comes about a month after Baxter called back one lot of cefazolin in dextrose injection—a common antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections—after cardboard matter was discovered in the solution.

The company said customers should stop using all of the affected products immediately and return them instead.