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Staying Healthy and Whole: A Consumer Guide to Product Safety Recalls |
A Quick Question!Credits SourceUnited States Office of Consumer AffairsContentsFederal Recalls and WarningsConsumer Role in Product Safety Who Does What and How to Talk to Them Other Foods, Drugs, Medical Devices, Cosmetics and Veterinary Products Alcoholic Beverages Recreational Boats and Boating Equipment Household Products, Toys, Home Appliances and Recreational Products Pesticide Products and Vehicle Emission Control Systems Manufactured Housing Cars, Trucks and Automotive Equipment ForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticlesUnited States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)CPSC Hotline Info |
This notice explains which Federal Agencies issue consumer product safety warnings or recalls, the kinds of products each of them covers, and how to let them know about product safety problems or find out about warnings or recalls they have announced. Federal Recalls and WarningsEvery year, in order to prevent injury to consumers, Federal agencies recall or issue warnings about hundreds of products. Product hazards may occur because of design flaws, production defects, new scientific information about dangers from materials previously thought safe, accidental contamination, tampering, unforeseen misuse of products, or failure to meet safety standards. Most recalls are carried out voluntarily by manufacturers under the supervision of the Federal agency responsible for the product category involved. The consumer's part in these product safety efforts is crucial. Unfortunately, it is not widely understood. Back to the Table of ContentsConsumer Role in Product SafetyConsumers are critically important in two ways. The first is in identifying product safety problems. Under U.S. law, the way product safety is regulated by Federal agencies varies among types of products. While meat and poultry plants, for example, are under continuous Federal inspection, drugs and other foods are produced according to Federal "Good Manufacturing Practices" with random inspection of plants to assure they comply. Although there are federal safety standards for components of such products as toys and automobiles, design flaws or quality control problems, among other things, can make them unsafe in other ways. Reports from consumers may be the first indication to the agencies that safety problems exist. The second is in responding to product safety problems. Product recalls and warnings protect consumers only if they react to them. Usually, only about 2% to 50% of recalled products in the hands of consumers are returned for refund, replacement or remedy. With products that are used up quickly or so inexpensive they are more likely to be thrown away than returned, low response may not be dangerous. Back to the Table of ContentsWho Does What and How to Talk to ThemMEAT AND POULTRYFood Safety and Inspection Service The 7,800 inspectors of FSIS oversee the processing of meat and poultry in 6,500 plants that sell their products across state lines. Although most problems are corrected before products leave the plant, FSIS sometimes requests a recall because, for example, of undercooking or harmful bacteria on ready to eat products. (Meat and poultry products for sale only within state boundaries are state inspected; state health or agriculture departments are the best source of information on them.) FSIS recalls are classified according to the potential danger to the public. A Class I recall presents a reasonable probability of death or serious harm to health; Class II and Class III are less serious. There are about 15 Class I recalls each year. FSIS oversees company recalls of the products it inspects, coordinates with state and local health officials, and publicizes recalls to consumers through the media and via messages on its tollfree Meat and Poultry Hotline. For promptest action concerns about the safety of specific meat or poultry products should be reported first to local health officials. To learn about recalls of FSIS-inspected meat or poultry products, report safety concerns or inquire about safe food-handling to prevent illness, call-- Meat and Poultry Hotline: or write-- Meat and Poultry Hotline Other Foods, Drugs, Medical Devices, Cosmetics and Veterinary ProductsFood and Drug Administration (FDA)FDA is responsible for the safety of foods other than meat and poultry; prescription and nonprescription drugs; biologics, e.g., vaccines; cosmetics; medical devices, including everything from bandaids to contact lenses to CAT Scanners; radiation emitting products such as microwaves; and veterinary products. Recalls are classified according to hazard. Class 1 represents a serious adverse health consequence or death; Class 2, some degree of health hazard but not life-threatening; and Class 3, no heath hazard, but a violation of manufacturing or labeling regulations and guidelines. FDA recalls are publicized through the news media according to the degree of danger to the public. To report safety problems or inquire about recalls or warnings concerning food products (other than meat or poultry), drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and veterinary products-- Look in your telephone directory under U.S. Government, Health and Human Services Department, Food and Drug Administration. If it does not appear, call-- (301) 443-3170 Or write-- Consumer Affairs and Information |
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Alcoholic BeveragesBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF):When alcoholic beverages contain impurities or unapproved substances, they are subject to action by BATF. Although BATF does not have the authority to recall these products, it can request that FDA recall, detain, or seize hazardous alcoholic beverages. If the problem involves imported products, BATF can revoke the permit required to import them to the U.S. To report safety problems or inquire about recalls or warnings concerning alcoholic beverages-- Look in your telephone directory under U.S. Government, Treasury Department, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. If it does not appear, call-- (202) 535-6379 Or write-- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Recreational Boats and Boating EquipmentU.S. Coast Guard:Coast Guard recalls or warnings are triggered by safety defects in the 19 million recreational boats in the United States or in boating equipment. In addition to notifying the media or recalls, the Coast Guard requires manufacturers to maintain lists of the original buyers of boats and notify owners by certified mail when a safety defect or violation has been identified. To report safety problems or inquire about recalls or warnings concerning recreational boats or boating equipment, call-- Boating Safety Hotline: 1 (800) 368-5647 (toll-free) Or write-- United States Coast Guard (GBC) Household Products, Toys, Home Appliances and Recreational ProductsU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)CPSC regulates the safety of toys; household products such as furniture, appliances and lawnmowers; recreational equipment; and some off-road vehicles such as snowmobiles. The agency recalls approximately 250 products a year, almost all the recalls handled voluntarily by manufacturers under CPSC supervision. Recalls are publicized to consumers through the media. Depending on the kind of product, recall or warning information sometimes may be included with billing notices from stores or with replacement parts, or appear on posters in doctors' offices, day care centers, stores, and repair shops. To report safety problems to CPSC or inquire about recalls or warnings, call-- Product Safety Hotline: 1 (800) 638-2772 (toll-free) Or write-- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Pesticide Products and Vehicle Emission Control SystemsEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA):Automotive vehicle emissions equipment that doesn't meet EPA standards, as well as hazardous pesticide products (e.g., insecticides, weedkillers, insect repellants), may be recalled by EPA. If emissions equipment is found to be substandard on a particular vehicle model, the manufacturer mails notices to registered owners and an announcement goes to the media. Pesticide product recalls and warnings are publicized through the news media. To report vehicle emissions concerns to EPA or inquire about recalls or warnings, call-- (202) 382-2491 Or write-- Office of Mobile Sources To report pesticide safety problems to EPA or inquire about recalls or warnings, call-- National Pesticides Telecommunications Network:1 (800) 858-7378 (toll-free) Or write-- National Pesticides Telecommunications Network Manufactured HousingU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):Most housing in the U.S. must meet standards set by local government agencies. The exception is manufactured housing, often called "mobile homes." All manufactured housing in the U.S. must conform to Federal standards monitored by HUD. The agency keeps records which include the serial number, dealer and state of destination for manufactured homes, and requires manufacturers to keep the names of individual unit buyers. If a safety problem is found with a particular model or brand of manufactured home, a defect notification is issued. There are 100-120 defect notifications a year. Consumers are notified by letter from the manufacturer that includes a contact through which arrangements can be made to have the defect corrected at no charge. To report safety problems with a manufactured home to HUD or inquire about a defect notification, call-- 1 (800) 927-2891 Or write-- Manufactured Housing and Construction Cars, Trucks and Automotive EquipmentNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):Automotive manufacturers must certify that their vehicles meet Federal safety standards and NHTSA tests to confirm that they do. If a vehicle doesn't comply, or has a defect affecting safety, the manufacturer recalls the vehicle under NHTSA supervision. In 1990, there were 205 recalls involving six million vehicles, about three-fourths of them the result of NHTSA investigations. Virtually all vehicles are registered--although not all registration information is always up to date--and vehicle recall notices sent by manufacturers reach about 90 percent of owners. Consumer awareness of recalls of such vital auto equipment as tires, child car seats and replacement parts is low, however, because these items are not owner registered. NHTSA publicizes recalls to the media, issues a monthly list of recalls, and has begun a rulemaking proceeding to require registration of child car seats. To report vehicle safety problems to NHTSA or inquire about recalls or warnings, call-- Auto Safety Hotline:1 (800) 424-9393 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration CreditsThis publication was produced by the United States Office of Consumer Affairs. Note: Graphics Omitted for on-line version Back to top |
