Abbott Glucose Monitor Readers Could Catch Fire, FDA Warns in Recall Notice

April 6, 2023

(STAT News) – The devices use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and come with Abbott-provided USB cable and power adapter. When people used non-Abbott charging cords, the battery can spark and catch fire. Abbott reported 206 incidents of the device malfunction, including at least seven fires and one injury. The company has not reported any deaths due to the issue. (Read More)

Note: Abbott issued a correction to STAT News’s original headline which read “Abbott Issues Recall of 4 Million Glucose Monitor Readers Over Risk They Can Catch Fire.” According to company representatives, NO physical products are being recalled; no glucose readers are being recalled. Customers can use their readers with Abbott-provided USB cable and power adapter. The company also told us, “Additionally, the FDA didn’t clarify, but the 206 reports are globally, over many years and that represents only 0.0017% of readers sold worldwide.”