How to Find Product Recall Information
Product recalls occur when the government or the company that created the product has reason to believe that it is unsafe for use or consumption. The product is recalled from the market to avoid additional injuries or death.
Recalls can be either voluntary or involuntary. Sometimes a business will voluntarily recall a product to avoid the additional legal liability for any damage that the product may cause. In other circumstances, the government may instruct the company to take the product off the market. Some recalls only require the consumer to take the product in for a replacement or a repair while others ban the sale of the product altogether. In any of these situations, the business is the major entity responsible for the logistics of the recall.
How do Consumers Learn About Recalls?
Customers find out about recalls in a variety of ways. The recall may be publicized on the news or through commercials. The Internet has been a helpful vehicle for getting the word out about product recalls as well. When a product is registered with the company, the business will use that information to contact consumers regarding recalls as well.
If possible, it is important that you register your new products if there is a registration card or other means for registration available. This will allow the business to contact you to warn about safety problems or concerns. Many people do not take the time to register their products, but registration can be a helpful means of avoiding injury or death if your product is dangerous.
Consumers can also look at certain government websites to see recently recalled products or food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the main federal entity that deals with recalls across the United States. It recommends that you research each product you buy, especially if it is used, to determine whether the product has been recalled.
Recall Information Sources
When there is a government-initiated recall, it will be posted at Recalls.gov. You can search for specific types of recalls there that may be in the following industries:
- Consumer products
- Motor vehicles (including car seats)
- Boats
- Food
- Medicine (including medical devices)
- Cosmetics
- Environmental Products
The Consumer Product Safety Commission also provides a comprehensive listing of consumer products that have been recalled here.
You can find the list of recalled medical devices here. Medical device recalls are especially important because they may involve a device that has already been implanted in your body. The hospital or manufacturer may also contact you regarding the recall as well.
Safercar.gov, which is managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, provides a comprehensive listing of all recalls that affect motor vehicles. In fact, you can even search by your VIN to determine whether your vehicle or any of its component parts have been recalled.
If you want to learn more about recalls involving food, Foodsafety.gov is a helpful resource. It lists all of the recall information from both the FDA and the United States Department of Agriculture in one location.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by a recalled product, food, medicine, or medical device, you may have legal rights. A defective product attorney at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter in Kennesaw, Georgia can be a helpful resource to determine your rights and remedies available under the law.
