Stop using nowMedical device recall · FDA · Published September 2, 2026
Safeguard US Recalls Battle Bandages and IFAK Kits Due to Infection Risk
Safeguard US recalls thousands of Battle Bandages and IFAK kits because degraded compression bandages may introduce foreign material into wounds, causing infection.
Compression bandage may be degraded, which may cause unwanted foreign material to be introduced inside the wound, which may lead to wound exploration and irrigation, formation of scar tissue, and infection.
✎ GovInfoNow plain-language explainer
Safeguard US Operating LLC is recalling approximately 46,881 units of Battle Bandage and various Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) products. The core issue is that the compression bandage inside these kits may be degraded. If used, this degradation can cause unwanted foreign material to enter a wound. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1629441-safeguard-us-operating-llc-recalls-battle-bandage-ref-32-700.
“Safeguard US Recalls Battle Bandages and IFAK Kits Due to Infection Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated October 21, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1629441-safeguard-us-operating-llc-recalls-battle-bandage-ref-32-700. Based on FDA recall #Z-0081-2027 (https://api.fda.gov/device/enforcement.json?search=recall_number:%22Z-0081-2027%22&limit=1).
The FDA announced on Sept. 2, 2026, that Safeguard US Operating LLC is recalling Battle Bandage and IFAK Kits because a degraded compression bandage may introduce foreign material into wounds. The recall affects 46,881 units distributed worldwide.
How to tell if you have it
Brand: Safeguard US
Product: Battle Bandage (REF: 32-700)
Patrol IFAK Bag, Black - Advanced (REF: 81-125-BL)
Lot codes starting with PBO0004xxx through PBO0010746
Expiration dates ranging from 2025 to 2032
The hazard
The compression bandage may be degraded, which may cause unwanted foreign material to be introduced inside the wound. This contamination may lead to wound exploration and irrigation, formation of scar tissue, and infection.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Safeguard US Operating LLC has one other recall on record since Aug. 27, 2024, involving kits with incorrect expiration dates. Other recent recalls of similar products include Medical Convenience Kits with Contaminated Wipes Risk Infection (Aug. 10, 2026), Integra CVS Wound Dressing Recall: Packaging Failure Risk (Jan. 16, 2026), and Medline Convenience Kits Recall: Contaminated Components Risk (July 10, 2026).
How to tell if you have this one
Check if you have any of the following products: Battle Bandage (REF: 32-700), Patrol IFAK Bag Black/Multicam (REF: 81-125-BL/81-125-MC), Patrol IFAK II Olive Drab (81-129-OD), various IFAK Bags (Intermediate/Advanced in Black, Coyote Brown, Multicam), LEO Patrol Kit (81-139), IFAK Refill/Resupply kits, K9 Trauma Kit, Medic Enhancement Sets, Emergency Trauma Kits, First Responder kits, Combat Life Saver kits, Multi Mission bags, Direct Action Bags, Bleeding Control Kits, Stop the Bleed Kits, Patrol Officer IFAKs, High Threat Kits, Micro Trauma Kit, SDR EDC/SDR Tactical Battle Belt IFAKs, or Emergency Trauma Employee kits. Verify the specific REF numbers and Lot/Expiration dates listed in the record to confirm if your item is affected.
Brand
Safeguard US
Category
Medical device
Based on the official FDA remedy
What to do — step by step
Stop using the recalled items
Do not use any of the recalled Battle Bandages or IFAK kits because the degraded bandage may introduce foreign material into wounds.
Check your product details
Compare the REF numbers and Lot/Expiration dates on your packaging against the list of recalled items in this record to confirm if you own a affected unit.
Where it went and when
Where it was distributed
Distributed nationwide and abroad; the notice names 44 states.
Named in the notice
Covered by “nationwide”
Not listed
FDA distribution: “Worldwide - US Nationwide distribution including in the states of FL, OK, CA, WA, GA, TX, PA, IL, MD, NC, OR, DE, NJ, MI, RI, AR, WI, AZ, CO, IN, MO, OH, MA, NY, VA, KY, UT, NM, SC, TN, LA, AL, MN, MT, AK, WV, KS, NE, WY, MS, HI, NH, IA,…” States read from FDA’s own wording; “not listed” means the notice does not name it.
Named in the notice: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Recall timeline
FDA published this recall 42 days after the firm started it.
1Firm started the recall
2FDA classified it Class II
3Published in FDA’s Enforcement Report
4Added to GovInfoNow
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
What should I do if I have one of these recalled items?
The record indicates the bandage may be degraded and cause infection; however, it does not explicitly state a remedy such as a refund or replacement in the provided text.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official FDA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Official source: FDA Recall #Z-0081-2027 (September 2, 2026) — FDA publishes no per-recall page; this is the official machine-readable enforcement record. Search FDA recalls for Z-0081-2027 to see it in context.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3.6:35b-a3b on October 21, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the FDA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official FDA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.