Karl Storz Endoscopy Optical Biopsy Forceps Recall: Sterility Risk
Karl Storz recalls optical biopsy and grasping forceps (REF 723400) due to potential sterility failure. All lots of affected material number 04048551194416 are impacted. Consumers should contact Karl Storz for details.
Lower-risk recall
Due to failure of manual cleaning validation, biopsy and grasping forceps like sterility assurance.
Contact the company
What happened, in plain English
Karl Storz is recalling optical biopsy and grasping forceps (REF 723400) because improper cleaning could compromise sterility. This poses a risk of infection during medical procedures if the instruments are not properly sterilized. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/53265-karl-storz-endoscopy-optical-biopsy-forceps-recall-sterility-risk.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/53265-karl-storz-endoscopy-optical-biopsy-forceps-recall-sterility-risk · Updated August 18, 2026 · FDA enforcement record: FDA #Z-0837-2025
Cite this page
“Karl Storz Endoscopy Optical Biopsy Forceps Recall: Sterility Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/53265-karl-storz-endoscopy-optical-biopsy-forceps-recall-sterility-risk. Based on FDA recall #Z-0837-2025 (https://api.fda.gov/device/enforcement.json?search=recall_number:%22Z-0837-2025%22&limit=1).
Why it’s dangerous
The forceps may not be properly sterilized after use because the cleaning validation fails. This could lead to contamination and infection during medical procedures if the instruments are reused without adequate cleaning.
Who’s affected
Medical professionals using the recalled forceps for procedures. Patients undergoing surgery with these instruments face infection risks if the instruments are not properly sterilized.
How to tell if you have this one
Check for the product name 'Optical Biopsy and Grasping Forceps' with reference number REF 723400. All lots with material number 04048551194416 are affected.
- Brand
Karl Storz Endoscopy- Category
Medical device
What to do — step by step
Contact Karl Storz
Reach out to Karl Storz Endoscopy for specific instructions on handling the recalled forceps.
Where it went and when
Where it was distributed
Distributed in 32 states.
FDA distribution: “US: AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA OUS: None” States read from FDA’s own wording; “not listed” means the notice does not name it.
States: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia.
Recall timeline
FDA published this recall 34 days after the firm started it.
- Firm started the recall
- FDA classified it Class II
- Published in FDA’s Enforcement Report
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Similar recalls
Latest medical device recalls
Keep exploring
Where this comes from
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-0837-2025 (December 19, 2024) — FDA publishes no per-recall page; this is the official machine-readable enforcement record. Search FDA recalls for Z-0837-2025 to see it in context.
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 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.