PRACTICAL RECALL GUIDE
Which Agency Handles My Product Recall?
A product category is usually the best starting point, but jurisdiction can depend on ingredients, processing, intended use, and the type of hazard.
FDA: most foods and several health-related products
FDA records commonly cover most packaged foods, beverages, dietary supplements, cosmetics, drugs, and medical devices. A familiar grocery product is not automatically an FDA record: meat, poultry, and certain processed egg products may fall under USDA FSIS instead. Start with the label and the official source named in the notice.
USDA FSIS: meat, poultry, and processed egg products
USDA FSIS notices commonly identify an establishment number inside or near the inspection mark. Products can include prepared meals when the USDA-regulated ingredient and processing bring the item under FSIS jurisdiction. Public health alerts may warn consumers even when a formal recall is not requested or practical.
CPSC: consumer products
CPSC covers many household and recreational products, including furniture, toys, appliances, tools, electronics, and children’s products. Product identity often depends on a model, serial range, manufacturing date, importer, or retailer rather than a food-style lot code.
When the boundary is unclear
Search more than one source. Combination products and differently regulated versions of a similar product name can appear in different systems. The agency named on the original notice controls; this website does not decide jurisdiction.
A reliable search sequence
First search a specific recall number, UPC, model, or establishment number. Then try the company and product name. Compare dates and identifiers on the detail page, and finish by opening the current official source.
How this guide should be used
This is original educational material prepared by Find a Recall. It does not determine whether an item is recalled and does not replace the current FDA, USDA FSIS, CPSC, manufacturer, or retailer notice. Use it to organize your comparison, then verify the result at the issuing source.