Cardinal Health Recalls Webcol Alcohol Prep Pads Due to Microbial Contamination

FDA Recalls & Safety Alerts

Filed March 19th, 2026

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

Cardinal Health is voluntarily recalling select lots of Webcol™ Large Alcohol Prep Pads due to microbial contamination with Paenibacillus phoenicis. The recall is being conducted to the consumer level due to the risk of serious infections. The product was distributed nationwide and internationally.

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What changed

Cardinal Health has initiated a voluntary nationwide recall of specific lots of Webcol™ Large Alcohol Prep Pads (70% isopropyl alcohol) due to microbial contamination identified as Paenibacillus phoenicis. This contamination poses a risk of local and systemic infections, particularly for at-risk populations such as immunocompromised patients or those with poorly controlled diabetes, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions like bacteremia or central nervous system infections. The affected product was distributed in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Japan between September 2025 and February 2026.

Cardinal Health has notified its customers and provided instructions to review inventory, segregate affected products, disseminate the recall notice, and notify downstream customers. Consumers and healthcare providers who have used the affected product and experienced adverse reactions should contact their physician and report the event to the FDA's MedWatch program. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What to do next

Review inventory for affected Webcol™ Large Alcohol Prep Pad lots.
Segregate and quarantine all affected product.
Notify any customers to whom affected product may have been distributed.

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Summary

Company Announcement Date:

March 19, 2026

FDA Publish Date:

March 20, 2026

Product Type: Drugs Reason for Announcement: Recall Reason Description Microbial Contamination Company Name: Cardinal Health Brand Name: Brand Name(s) Webcol Product Description: Product Description Large Alcohol Prep Pads (70% isopropyl alcohol)

Company Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / DUBLIN, Ohio, March 19, 2026 – Cardinal Health has issued a voluntary recall for select lots of Webcol™ Large Alcohol Prep Pads (70% isopropyl alcohol) to the consumer level. The product is being recalled due to microbial contamination identified as Paenibacillus phoenicis.

There is a reasonable probability that use of the contaminated pads may result in local and systemic infections in at-risk populations; patients with impaired immune response, including patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or poorly controlled diabetes, may develop life-threatening infections such as bacteremia or central nervous system infections.

The Webcol™ Alcohol Prep Pad is used for external use only and utilized for cleansing.

The product was distributed in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan between September 2025 and February 2026.

Affected Webcol™ Alcohol Prep Pad lots include the following lot numbers: See Attached Table

Cardinal Health notified its customers by overnight mail on March 2, 2026, with instructions to:

REVIEW inventory for the affected product code.
SEGREGATE and quarantine all affected product upon review of inventory.
DISSEMINATE Cardinal Health’s notice to all departments, clinics and external campuses that handle the affected products.
NOTIFY any customers to whom they may have distributed or forwarded affected product about this voluntary recall.
RETURN the acknowledgment form via fax to 614-652-9648 or email directly to GMB-FieldCorrectiveAction@cardinalhealth.com, confirming receipt of this product action. Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Cardinal Health at GMB-FieldCorrectiveAction@cardinalhealth.com or call 800-292-9332 Monday-Friday between 8am and 5pm EST.

Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178 This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Company Contact Information

Consumers: Cardinal Health 800-292-9332 GMB-FieldCorrectiveAction@cardinalhealth.com Media: Casey Sudzina, Media Relations, Cardinal Health (614) 356-3220