
BD’s North Canaan plant has increased its output of syringes by more than 40% to meet the needs of U.S. healthcare customers after the FDA launched an ongoing investigation into quality issues with plastic syringes made in China.
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BD’s North Canaan plant has increased its output of syringes by more than 40% to meet the needs of U.S. healthcare customers after the FDA launched an ongoing investigation into quality issues with plastic syringes made in China.
NORTH CANAAN, Conn. — Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) has ramped up its production of syringes at its North Canaan plant in response to quality issues with plastic syringes imported from China which were uncovered late last year by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
BD, a leading global medical technology company and Northwest Connecticut’s largest employer, responded to the FDA’s recommendation that consumers, healthcare providers and healthcare facilities transition away from plastic syringes made in China by increasing its domestic manufacturing of syringes at the company’s Connecticut and Nebraska facilities.
Since January, BD’s 385,000-square-foot North Canaan plant has increased its output of syringes “by over 40% to meet the needs of U.S. healthcare customers,” according to Fallon McLoughlin, director of public relations and corporate communications for the Franklin Lakes, N.J.-based company.
“BD has achieved this increase by driving operational efficiencies and relocating some production lines from other BD plants,” said McLoughin.
“We’ve added over 100 full-time associates in the last year, and currently have more than 500 full-time associates and nearly 50 contingent associates,” she said of the North Canaan site, which began its operations in 1961 with eight employees at a 25,000-square-foot facility.
BD draws its employees from throughout Northwest Connecticut and neighboring New York.
McLaughlin noted that its Connecticut plant primarily manufactures small-size syringes, and syringe and needle combination products that are “critical to the delivery of healthcare.”
Operations take place around the clock, producing more than 2 billion medical devices each year that are sold in every region worldwide.
Responding to consumer needs
In March, Eric Borin, president of BD Medication Delivery Solutions, announced a statement saying: “BD has the capacity to support additional syringe demand and is further increasing U.S. production to help ensure continuity of patient care.”
Since the initial FDA safety communication in November 2023, he noted, “BD has increased domestic manufacturing of syringes in our Nebraska and Connecticut facilities to respond to customer needs. Ensuring the safety and quality of our products is the top priority at BD.”
Borin further noted at the time that “The latest FDA safety communication does not include any BD syringes. Over our more than 125-year history, we have served the health care system’s need for essential high quality medical products, including manufacturing 2 billion additional syringes and needles to support the global pandemic response to COVID-19.”
Syringe manufacturers in China cited
In late November 2023, the FDA announced its probe into reports of leaks, breakages and other quality problems with plastic syringes manufactured in China “that are used for injecting fluids into or withdrawing fluids from, the body,” according to the health regulator.
On March 14, the FDA issued an update on warning letters sent to three entities: Jiangsu Shenli Medical Production Co. Ltd, Medline Industries, LP and Sol-Millennium Medical Inc., describing violations related to the “sale and distribution of unauthorized plastic syringes that had not been cleared or approved by the FDA,” according to a new release.
“In addition, we are actively evaluating quality issues and performance testing failures with plastic syringes made by Jiangsu Caina Medical Co Ltd., a China-based manufacturer sited in the warning letter issued to Medline Industries, LP. The FDA will take additional steps as appropriate,” the FDA stated.
In its August 16 update, the FDA continued to recommend that healthcare providers “use syringes not manufactured in China, if possible.
“At this time, glass syringes, pre-filled syringes or syringes used for topical purposes are not included. If you only have syringes manufactured in China, then continue to use them as needed until you are able to use alternative syringes and closely monitor for leaks, breakage and other problems,” the FDA announced.
In March, BD was named to Fortune’s 2024 list of America’s Most Innovative Companies, and in September, the company announced that it had been named to TIME’s 2024 list of the World’s Best Companies based on employee feedback.
BD’s operations in North Canaan have also been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for achieving the Energy Star Challenge for Industry for energy reduction. The site is a landfill-free site where waste is reduced, recycled or converted into energy.
Webutuck's Olivia Lopane-Wickwire, no. 2, eyeing a pitch as she steps off first base.
FALLS VILLAGE, Conn. — Webutuck High School softball defeated Housatonic Valley Regional High School 14-9 on Thursday, May 15.
The non-league game was played in Falls Village, Connecticut, in what is a becoming an interstate rivalry. When these teams met last year, Housatonic won 16-3.
The match was paused in the second inning due to a lightning delay. At the time of the delay, Webutuck led 5-4.
Housatonic’s Madison Dewitt tied the game with a homer to center field once play resumed.
Webutuck pulled ahead as the game went on. Bella Milano led the team offensively. She drove in six runs for the Wildcats and hit 3 for 4 at the plate with a triple.
Pitcher Madison Krueger earned the win for Webutuck with 10 strikeouts in five and two-thirds innings. Her performance put the team total for strikeouts this season at 103.
For Housatonic, Kylie Leonard hit 3 for 5 with two RBI. Freshman Payton Wagner pitched six innings for the Mountaineers.
The annual Columbia County event draws hundreds of bargain hunters to Hillsdale’s Hamlet Park.
HILLSDALE —The town of Hillsdale’s flea market returns Saturday, May 24.
Dozens of vendors will be selling things at Hillsdale Hamlet Park, southwest of the intersection of routes 22 and 23 in Columbia County.
Items expected to be on sale range from the practical — kitchenware, furniture, toys, garden tools and clothing — to unique hand-made items, antiques and collectibles.
Vendor spaces are available. Spaces cost $50 for a 15-by-15 foot space or $30 for 10 feet by 10 feet. Vendors must bring their own tables.
“The Hillsdale Flea is a great excuse to gather up all those treasures you have laying around your house and give them a new home,” said Tim Stookesberry, a co-organizer of the event. “I’ve had a blast selling at the market the last couple of years — and have made some decent money, too.”
The market will open at 9 a.m. for early-bird shoppers during the first hour, with a suggested donation of $10 for the Hillsdale Fire Company no. 1. The market will continue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Fire Company will also be raising funds by serving breakfast sandwiches and coffee at the event. Other food vendors also are expected to be on hand.
As this is an outdoor event, a rain date for severe weather is set for Sunday, May 25, with the same times. Notice of a rain delay will be posted on Hillsdale’s various Facebook pages as well as the town website, hillsdaleny.com, and other social media outlets.
For more information on the event, contact the organizers at hillsdalenyparks@gmail.com.
Producing a blizzard of bubbles, the Bubble Bus delighted visitors to the annual Webutuck Community Day at the high school on Saturday, May 17.
AMENIA — Outdoor and indoor fun activities awaited area families who attended the Webutuck Community Day at the high school on Saturday, May 17. The popular annual event was co-sponsored by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Webutuck PTA.
In addition to outdoor displays including a car show, large trucks, a helicopter, a state police water rescue vehicle and a bubble bus producing blizzards of bubbles, the indoor displays numbered more than 60 local and area organizations, vendors, demonstrations and volunteer opportunities, nearly all giving things away for free.
Last-minute coaching was in order before the start of an old-fashioned sack race. Millerton Village Board member Matt Hartzog was ably coordinating each race and cheering all contestants onward at Webutuck Community Day on Saturday, May 17.Photo by Leila Hawken
Old-fashioned sack races for kids were a popular outdoor feature organized and managed by Millerton Village Board members Matt Hartzog and Lisa Hermann. They provided information about the upcoming 175th anniversary Millerton’s 1851 founding. A significant celebration is being planned for next year between July 11 and 19, 2026. Volunteers are being sought now.
“We’re looking for people and organizations interested in helping out,” Hartzog said, adding that organizations might contribute an event to be scheduled within that celebration week.
“We want to fill the week,” Hartzog said. “It’s a work in progress,” Hermann added.
For information about the celebration, go to www.villageofmillerton-ny.gov/175th.
Little Kinsley Kelly from Dover, who recently celebrated her first birthday, attended her first Webutuck Community Day on Saturday, May 17. Eager to try the sandwiches being prepared in the high school cafeteria, she found the burger held by her dad to be to her liking.Photo by Leila Hawken
The Millerton Fire Company was represented by members volunteering to hand out fire safety kits, plastic helmets and baked goods, while providing fire safety information.
Second Grade teacher Sydney Cipriano was looking after the PTA Book Fair display. The Book Fair is an ongoing PTA activity. Community Day organizer and PTA President, Anna Kall, busily came and went from the Book Fair display ensuring that the event ran smoothly.
Faith Bible Chapel offered information about their Vacation Bible School, scheduled for June 23 to 27. Pastor Bill Mayhew said that the free-of-charge program for kids 2 to 18 has steadily grown in numbers over the years.
Bee Bee the Clown of Milan, an area favorite, made balloon animals.
Delighting youngsters with balloon creations, Bee Bee the Clown paused for a photo with Third Grade teacher Sydney Cipriano in the PTA book booth.Photo by Leila Hawken
Local libraries were there. The Amenia Library’s program assistant Megan Marshall had been kept so busy, she said, she had given away all of her cookies, but still had a few handcrafted bookmarks made of recycled materials to give away. NorthEast-Millerton Library children’s librarian Naomi Schmidt was distributing stickers to children who shared a poem.
Outdoors, not far from the bubbles, the New York State Troopers had brought along an air boat used in underwater rescue or recovery emergencies.
“We get to give back to our communities,” said Recovery SCUBA team member Michael Polishuk, adding that they were there to talk to children about water safety.
Funding for repairs to the NorthEast-Millerton Library were secured Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106).
MILLERTON — The NorthEast-Millerton Library is set to receive a facelift thanks to a $125,000 grant to support overdue repairs and necessary upgrades to the library’s Annex.
NorthEast-Millerton Library Director Rhiannon Leo-Jameson said the repairs are scheduled to begin around mid-June and conclude in early August. The grant will be used to repair structural and cosmetic damage, including rotting wood, chipping paint and damaged siding. Leo-Jameson said if there is any budget remaining, the library will replace an exterior door and window.
But it’s not just about paint and repairs. As outlined in the library’s strategic plan, which runs through the end of this year, a primary goal of the library is to “bridge the divide in our community” using the Annex to host events, meetups and offer the space to organizations looking for a place to gather.
“The Annex has become a community hub,” Leo-Jameson said. “The community deserves to have a place that is well-maintained and attractive.” The Annex is utilized by the library, community members and local organizations six days a week. It has also served as the polling location for the Town of North East.
This funding — secured by Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106) — comes at a critical moment, as libraries across New York face uncertainty amid significant cuts to federal support. Barrett, a longtime supporter of public libraries, said the threats to funding streams from the federal government “will, without question, impact the libraries in our district.” She said libraries like the NorthEast-Millerton Library, which generally operate on shoestring budgets, will feel these funding cuts deeply.
“It’s a critical dynamic in our country right now,” Barrett said, adding that the public has a role to play in the sustainability of libraries. “I think now is the time for the community to step up and become members, look at ways to be supportive, teach kids about programs at the libraries and get involved.”
Barrett has visited the library over the years for meetings, political events and talks. “I love that the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex is a hub with energy and a sense of community and when it’s a newly refreshed building I know it will be super exciting for the community.”