Keep safe and stay up to date with food and product recalls.
Making sure the food and items you use to prepare and serve food are safe for you and your family is important. Concerns for consumer health and safety often prompt companies and agencies to issue product recalls. Staying informed about product recalls helps you identify when and how to take steps to safeguard your and your loved ones health and safety.
One quick and easy way to stay in the know about product recalls is to sign up for email alerts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA issues recalls for various food and kitchen products, from packaged foods to appliances. When you sign up for the FDA email alerts, you'll be notified immediately when a recall is issued, so you can take action to protect yourself and your household.
Another helpful resource for checking on recalls is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC issues recalls for many consumer products, including kitchen appliances and cookware. You can search recalls by product type, brand, or date range on the CPSC website. If you find a product you own on the recall list, the website will provide easy-to-follow instructions for next steps, such as returning the item for refund or repair.
In Canada, Health Canada is the regulatory agency responsible for monitoring food and consumer product safety as well as issuing product recalls. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is also responsible for food safety and can issue food recalls.
To learn more about food and product recalls in Canada, visit the Health Canada Recalls and Safety Alerts database or the CFIA's Food Recall Warnings page. Both these websites provide information on the latest recalls and instructions on what to do if you've purchased a recalled product. Sign up for email alerts from both agencies to stay informed about the latest recalls.
Beyond these, you can check product recall status through a product's producer or manufacturer, many of whom have dedicated recall websites that list all active product recalls. If you're still unsure how to check a product's recall status, visit their website or contact customer service for guidance.
Speaking of guidance, don't be shy. Let us know what you think. What are your tips, tricks, and go-to resources for keeping your and your family's food safe?
