Food Safety Recalls

An FDA food recall is an action taken by a firm to remove a food product from the market because it may be adulterated, misbranded, or otherwise in violation of FDA regulations. Recalls can be initiated voluntarily by the manufacturer or distributor, or requested by the FDA when there is evidence that a food product is unsafe. Recalls cover a wide range of issues including bacterial contamination (Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli), undeclared allergens, foreign objects, and mislabeling.

The FDA classifies recalls into three levels based on the severity of the health hazard. Class I is the most serious — there is a reasonable probability that exposure to the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. Class II means the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, but the probability of serious harm is remote. Class III is the least serious — exposure to the product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

If you have a recalled food product, stop eating or using it immediately. Do not donate it or give it to others. Check the recall notice for specific instructions — some recalls ask you to return the product to the store for a refund, while others ask you to dispose of it. If you have already consumed the product and are experiencing symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. You can also report adverse reactions to the FDA through their MedWatch program.

All food recall data on RecallCheck comes directly from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the openFDA enforcement database. We maintain a complete copy of their public recall records covering 28,679 food safety actions from 212 to 2026. Our data is updated regularly to include the latest FDA enforcement actions and recall announcements.

Most food recalls are voluntary, meaning the manufacturer or distributor initiates the recall on their own after discovering a safety problem. The FDA can also request a firm to recall a product. In rare cases when a company refuses to recall a product that the FDA considers dangerous, the FDA has the authority to issue a mandated recall. Regardless of whether a recall is voluntary or mandated, the safety implications for consumers are the same — you should stop using the recalled product immediately.