What You Really Need to Know About Product Recalls

December 11, 2010

Product recall alerts are nothing new. There are literally hundreds of product recalls every year, issued by state and federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). News programs are full of them, and entire websites are devoted to them, so what is an information-inundated consumer to do?

The American Association of Poison Control Centers understands the confusion and concern that the slew of recalls can cause, so they have devised a method by which consumers can stay informed yet stay remain calm enough to take any necessary action.

Pay Close Attention to the Details of the Recall

This is vitally important: recall information, particularly that given by broadcast news programs, is often brief and intentionally vague, advising consumers to contact the recalling agency for more information (via a provided web address or toll-free number). Keep in mind that recalls usually only affect a small amount of a particular product manufacturing run.

For example, a network news program might announce that "Wheaty" brand crackers have been recalled. In reality, however, only those crackers manufactured at the company's Kansas City factory between 4:00 am and noon on November 1 with lot numbers 123ABC and 456DEF are affected because they may have been contaminated with a cleaning solution used in one of the ovens. All other crackers manufactured in that facility are completely safe, as are other cracker brands distributed by the company.

Learning About Recalls

Many popular newspapers have sections devoted to informing the public about recent recalls. In addition, the federal government maintains its own site -- www.recalls.gov -- that displays information about recalls coming from a number of federal agencies including the CPSC, FDA, USDA, EPA and more. On that site, you can see listings of recent recalls, get e-mail alerts and even download a mobile app that lets you search product listings in real time. Consumers can also check recalls posted at local businesses, individual company websites and elsewhere on the Internet.

Taking Action

Once you have been made aware that a product has been recalled -- whether or not you think there is an immediate risk posed by the product -- stop using it, particularly if the product is designed for children. You can then follow the recall instructions to learn your next steps (throw the product away, return it to the manufacturer, return it to the store where you purchased it, etc.). If you or a loved one has been harmed by a recalled product, you may have legal options to recover compensation for your injuries, so speak with an experienced personal injury attorney in your area to learn more.

Article provided by Riddle & Brantley LLP
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