How Product Recalls Work

A product recall is a request by a manufacturer or government agency to return a product after safety issues or defects are discovered. Understanding how recalls work helps you protect yourself and your family.

What Is a Product Recall?

A recall is the process of removing or correcting products that violate laws administered by regulatory agencies. Products may be recalled because they:

• Are contaminated with harmful bacteria or substances
• Contain undeclared allergens
• Have a design or manufacturing defect
• Pose a choking, fire, or other safety hazard
• Are mislabeled or missing required warnings

Voluntary vs. Mandatory Recalls

Voluntary Recalls (Most Common)

The vast majority of recalls are voluntary. A company discovers or is notified of a problem and chooses to recall the product. While called “voluntary,” companies are strongly motivated to act quickly to:

• Protect consumers from harm
• Avoid legal liability
• Maintain their brand reputation
• Preempt a mandatory recall, which is more damaging to their reputation

Mandatory Recalls (Rare)

Government agencies can mandate recalls when a company refuses to act voluntarily and there is a significant public health risk. Mandatory recalls are rare because companies almost always cooperate.

FDA/USDA Recall Classifications

The FDA and USDA classify recalls into three categories based on the severity of health risk. These classifications are shown on recall pages where available:

Learn more about what Class I, II, and III recalls mean →

What Does “No Illnesses Reported” Mean?

You’ll often see recalls that say “no illnesses have been reported.” This does not mean the product is safe. It means:

• No illnesses have been linked to this specific product yet
• Many food poisoning cases go unreported or are not traced back to a specific source
• The recall may be precautionary based on testing or inspection findings

A recall without reported illnesses should still be taken seriously. Companies don’t recall products unless there’s a genuine concern.

Why Do Recalls Expand Over Time?

It’s common for recalls to expand after the initial announcement. This happens because:

• Investigation continues: As more is learned about the contamination or defect, additional products may be identified
• Supply chain complexity: The same ingredient or component may be used in multiple products from different brands
• Testing takes time: Additional testing may reveal the problem is more widespread than initially thought

This is why it’s important to check back for updates on recalls that may affect you.

What to Do If You Have a Recalled Product

1. Stop using the product immediately unless the recall notice provides different instructions
2. Verify your product is affected by checking lot codes, serial numbers, UPC codes, or date ranges against the recall details
3. Follow the remedy instructions:
   • Refund: Return to the store for a full refund
   • Replacement: Contact the manufacturer for a replacement product
   • Repair: Some products can be repaired (common with vehicles)
   • Disposal: Some products should be discarded safely
4. Keep proof of purchase if possible, though many companies will honor recalls without receipts

Who Issues Recalls?

Different agencies handle different types of products:

• FDA (Food and Drug Administration): Food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics
• USDA FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service): Meat, poultry, processed egg products
• CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission): Toys, electronics, furniture, household products
• NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration): Vehicles, car seats, tires

Do Product Recalls Expire?

Product recalls do not technically “expire” in the way that coupons or warranties do. A recall remains in effect as long as the safety issue exists. However, a recall’s status will typically change over time:

• Active: The recall is ongoing and affected products may still be in consumers’ homes or on store shelves
• Terminated: The agency has determined the recall is complete because the product has been removed from commerce
• Completed: The company has fulfilled its recall obligations and the matter is closed

Even after a recall is officially “terminated” or “completed,” you can often still seek a remedy. Many manufacturers will honor refunds or replacements for recalled products even years after the recall was announced. Contact the manufacturer directly if you discover an old recalled product.

Do Recalled Products Come Back to Market?

Yes, recalled products can return to the market, but only after the manufacturer has corrected the safety issue and satisfied the requirements of the relevant agency. The path back to market depends on the nature of the problem:

• Contamination issues: The manufacturer must identify and eliminate the source of contamination, implement new safety protocols, and often undergo additional inspections before resuming production
• Design defects: The product must be redesigned to eliminate the hazard, and the fix must be verified through testing
• Labeling errors: Corrected labels must be approved, and affected products must be relabeled or replaced

Some recalls result in permanent discontinuation if the cost of correction is too high or if the safety issue cannot be adequately resolved. Consumers should not assume a previously recalled product is still unsafe if it returns to market—it has been cleared by regulators.

Why Do Recalls Seem to Happen So Often?

It may seem like product recalls are more common than ever. Several factors contribute to this perception:

• Better detection: Advances in testing technology allow agencies and companies to detect contamination and defects that would have gone unnoticed in the past. DNA-based testing, for example, can identify pathogens faster and more accurately.
• Larger-scale production: Modern food and product manufacturing operates at massive scale. A single contaminated ingredient can affect products distributed across the entire country, resulting in recalls that reach more consumers.
• Improved reporting: Better systems for tracking illnesses and connecting them to specific products mean problems are identified and acted upon more quickly.
• Stricter standards: Safety standards have become more stringent over time. Products that might have been acceptable decades ago may now trigger recalls under current regulations.
• Greater visibility: The internet and social media mean recalls reach more people faster. A recall that once might have been a local newspaper story now makes national headlines.

More recalls does not necessarily mean products are less safe. In many ways, it reflects a system that is better at identifying and addressing problems before they cause widespread harm.

Questions?

Check our frequently asked questions for more answers about product recalls. If you have questions about a specific recall, contact the recalling company or the relevant government agency directly. This site aggregates information but is not affiliated with any government agency.