FDA warns of massive diabetes test strip recall

WASHINGTON The Food and Drug Administration is warning patients with diabetes about the recall of 62 million glucose test strips used to measure blood sugar levels.

Nova Diabetes Care announced the recall Friday after discovering that some of the strips can show incorrect, abnormally high blood sugar readings. An incorrect reading could potentially lead to dangerous medication errors for patients.

The strips covered by the recall are marketed under the brand names Nova Max Blood Glucose Test Strips and Nova Max Plus Glucose Meter Kits. The recall affects certain lots of the strips distributed in the U.S., Canada, Chile, Peru, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and a half-dozen other countries.

The FDA says the strips are contaminated with a chemical used in the manufacturing process, which interferes with readings.