UPDATE 3-Becton Dickinson ramps up syringe production in US amid China quality concerns

(Adds FDA statement in paragraphs 6 and 7)

March 21 (Reuters) - Becton Dickinson said on Thursday it has increased production of medical syringes in the United States after the country's drug regulator recommended not using some China-made syringes as part of its ongoing quality probe.

The U.S.-based medical equipment maker — one of the world's largest syringe suppliers — said it had increased manufacturing in its Nebraska and Connecticut facilities, since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first raised concerns about China-made syringes in November.

The FDA had said last year it was looking into reports of leaks, breakages and other quality problems with plastic syringes manufactured in China and that it may prevent such syringes from entering the U.S. market, if necessary.

The health regulator on Monday issued additional recommendations to U.S. suppliers, consumers and healthcare organizations to immediately transition away from using plastic syringes manufactured by two Chinese companies.

"We remain concerned that certain syringes manufactured in China may not provide consistent and adequate quality or performance," the FDA said in a statement on its website, adding that the evaluation is ongoing.

The FDA again said on Tuesday the supply and manufacturing capacity of plastic syringes made in countries other than China, including domestic manufacturing, is adequate to support current healthcare demand.

"Therefore, the agency does not anticipate that a shift in the supply chain is likely to lead to a shortage of these products," it said.

(Reporting by Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid, Varun H K and Shilpi Majumdar)