Pregnancy, ovulation and urinary tract infection tests are being recalled. Here's what you need to know.

Megan Johnson
Updated ·3 min read
22
A series of tests for pregnancy, ketones, urinary issues, and other health concerns have been recalled. (Photo: Hannes P Albert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
A series of tests for pregnancy, ketones, urinary issues and other health concerns have been recalled. (Photo: Hannes P Albert/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging consumers to avoid certain consumer testing products.

Each of the recalled tests was manufactured by Universal Meditech, Inc., or UMI. According to a release provided by the FDA, the company has notified the federal agency that it has stopped all operations and is no longer providing support for the tests.

The list of brands that were included in the recall includes the following:

  • One Step Pregnancy Test

  • DiagnosUS One Step Ovulation Test

  • HealthyWiser UriTest 10 Parameter Reagent Test Strips for Urinalysis

  • HealthyWiser UriTest UTI Test Strips

  • HealthyWiser KetoFast Ketone Test Strips

  • HealthyWiser pH-Aware pH Test Strips

  • To Life hCG Pregnancy Urine Test

  • Am I Pregnant Pregnancy Midstream Test

  • DeTec hCG Pregnancy Urine Test

  • PrestiBio Pregnancy Strips

  • PrestiBio Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test Midstream

  • PrestiBio Ovulation Strips

  • PrestiBio Urinalysis Test Strip 10 Parameters

  • PrestiBio Ketone Test Strips

  • PrestiBio Breast Milk Alcohol Test Strips

The tests may have been sold online through AC&C Distribution, HealthyWiser, Home Health US and Prestige Biotech. While they were distributed under the brand names of those four distributors, they may not have identified UMI as the manufacturer. It's possible they were distributed by other distributors, according to the release from the FDA.

What should I do if I have one of these products?

The FDA has issued a strict warning to not purchase any of these items in stores. If you already have these tests in your possession, the agency recommends that you immediately stop using them and place them in the trash. If you already used one of the recalled tests, the FDA recommends testing again using a different test, and reaching out to a healthcare provider if you have concerns about its accuracy.

Even if your product seems to function correctly, it's still important to get rid of it. Dr. Gina Posner, a board-certified pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., previously told Yahoo it's imperative to dispose of such items since they have been associated with safety issues or product defects that might endanger the consumer.

"If something has been recalled, you really need to follow the recall instructions — there's a reason why it was recalled," Posner said. "They don't recall things lightly."

Where can I report an issue?

If you'd like to report any adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of these tests, the FDA recommends reaching out to their MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

You can also report any issues with a product to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

"Consumers can report safety incidents, injuries or deaths with products under CPSC’s jurisdiction to us at www.SaferProducts.gov," Patty Davis, press secretary for the CPSC, previously told Yahoo Life, noting that consumers can also go to that website to see if others have had issues with certain products. "Reporting to CPSC ... is important and can help save lives."

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.