Question 1

How often is recall data updated?

Accepted Answer

We check for new recalls continuously throughout the day:

- **CPSC (Consumer Products):** Every 10 minutes via their official API
- **FDA (Food & Drugs):** Every 30 minutes via RSS feeds
- **USDA (Meat & Poultry):** Every 30 minutes via FSIS feeds
- **NHTSA (Vehicles):** Daily summaries via their API

New recalls typically appear on Recall Radar within 1-2 hours of being published by the agency. For the absolute latest information, you can also visit the official agency websites directly.

Question 2

Do you cover all U.S. recalls?

Accepted Answer

We cover recalls from the four major U.S. federal agencies that handle the vast majority of consumer product recalls:

- **CPSC** - Consumer products (toys, appliances, furniture, electronics, etc.)
- **FDA** - Food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, dietary supplements
- **USDA** - Meat, poultry, and egg products
- **NHTSA** - Vehicles, car seats, tires, and vehicle equipment

However, some recalls may not be included:
- State or local recalls that aren't federally issued
- International recalls (non-U.S.)
- Voluntary recalls not reported to federal agencies
- Recalls from other federal agencies (EPA, etc.)

We're continuously working to expand our coverage.

Question 3

How do I know if a product I own has been recalled?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways to check:

1. **Search by Product Name or Brand:** Use our main search page to look up the product by name, brand, or category.

2. **Check Product Labels:** For food items, compare UPC codes, lot numbers, or expiration dates listed in recalls with the labels on your products.

3. **Vehicle VIN Lookup:** For vehicles, use our Vehicle Check page or visit NHTSA's SaferCar website with your 17-character VIN.

4. **Set Up Alerts:** Create a watchlist for specific brands or categories you own—we'll email you when new recalls are published.

If you find a recalled product in your home, follow the remedy instructions (typically refund, repair, or dispose) provided in the recall notice.

Question 4

What should I do if I find a recalled product?

Accepted Answer

If you discover you have a recalled product:

1. **Stop Using It Immediately** - Don't use the product, especially if it poses safety hazards like fire, choking, or injury risks.

2. **Read the Full Recall Notice** - Click through to the official recall page for complete details about the hazard and remedy.

3. **Follow Remedy Instructions** - Most recalls offer one or more remedies:
   - **Refund:** Return for your money back
   - **Repair:** Free repair or replacement parts
   - **Replace:** Exchange for a new product
   - **Dispose:** Safely dispose of the product

4. **Contact the Manufacturer** - If unclear, contact the company directly using information in the recall notice.

5. **Check for Deadlines** - Some recalls have claim deadlines, so act promptly.

**Never try to repair a recalled product yourself** unless specifically instructed to do so in the recall notice.

Question 5

How do email alerts work?

Accepted Answer

Our alert system helps you stay informed automatically:

**Setting Up Alerts:**
1. Visit the Alerts page
2. Enter your email address
3. Define what to monitor (agencies, categories, brands, keywords)
4. Choose frequency (instant, daily digest, or weekly digest)
5. Verify your email address via the confirmation link we send

**How It Works:**
- When a new recall matches your criteria, we add it to your alert queue
- Based on your frequency preference, we send you an email with matching recalls
- Each alert includes the recall title, hazard summary, and link to full details

**Managing Alerts:**
- You can have multiple watchlists for different product categories
- Edit or delete watchlists anytime using your email address
- Unsubscribe links are included in every alert email

**Privacy:** We only store your email address and search preferences. We never sell or share your information.

Question 6

Is this service free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Recall Radar is completely free to use, with no hidden fees or premium tiers.

**Free Features:**
- Unlimited searches across all agencies
- Full access to all recall details
- Email alerts (unlimited watchlists)
- Vehicle VIN check tool
- Mobile-friendly access

**Why Free?**
Recall information is public safety data provided by government agencies. Our mission is to make this critical information easily accessible to everyone, not to profit from safety concerns.

**How We Operate:**
Currently, Recall Radar operates on a volunteer basis. In the future, we may introduce optional features or accept donations to cover hosting costs, but core functionality will always remain free.

Question 7

How accurate is the information on Recall Radar?

Accepted Answer

**Data Source:** All recall data comes directly from official government agency sources (CPSC, FDA, USDA, NHTSA). We do not create, modify, or editorialize recall information.

**Accuracy:** We strive for high accuracy, but cannot guarantee 100% completeness or correctness because:
- Data is automatically processed from multiple formats (APIs, RSS feeds, HTML)
- Agencies occasionally update or correct recalls after initial publication
- Technical issues may occasionally delay updates

**Best Practice:** For critical decisions (medical, safety, legal), always verify information on the official agency website. We provide direct links to the original source for every recall.

**Reporting Issues:** If you spot incorrect or outdated information, please contact us so we can investigate and fix any issues.

Question 8

What is the difference between FDA and USDA food recalls?

Accepted Answer

Both agencies handle food safety, but they cover different types of products:

**FDA (Food and Drug Administration):**
- Most foods except meat, poultry, and egg products
- Examples: Fruits, vegetables, seafood, dairy, nuts, packaged foods, beverages
- Also handles: Drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, dietary supplements

**USDA (Department of Agriculture - FSIS):**
- Meat, poultry, and processed egg products only
- Examples: Beef, pork, chicken, turkey, deli meats, hot dogs, frozen dinners with meat
- Regulates: Slaughterhouses, meat processing plants, food safety inspections

**Why Two Agencies?**
This split dates back to historical regulatory responsibilities. USDA oversees farm and agricultural products, while FDA handles most other consumer products.

**On Recall Radar:** You can filter by agency (FDA or USDA) when searching for food recalls, or search both at once.

Question 9

Can I report a safety issue with a product?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but you should report directly to the appropriate government agency, not to Recall Radar.

**For Consumer Products (toys, appliances, electronics, furniture):**
Report to CPSC at [https://www.saferproducts.gov](https://www.saferproducts.gov)

**For Food, Drugs, Medical Devices, Cosmetics:**
Report to FDA at [https://www.fda.gov/safety/reporting-serious-problems-fda](https://www.fda.gov/safety/reporting-serious-problems-fda)

**For Meat, Poultry, Egg Products:**
Call USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854)

**For Vehicles, Car Seats, Tires:**
Report to NHTSA at [https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem](https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem)

**What Recall Radar Does:** We display recalls published by these agencies—we do not collect safety reports or initiate recalls ourselves.

Question 10

Why don't I see NHTSA vehicle recalls in search results?

Accepted Answer

NHTSA (vehicle) recalls are handled differently than other recalls:

**Why the Difference:**
- NHTSA has a dedicated VIN lookup system that's the most accurate way to check vehicle recalls
- Vehicle recalls are tied to specific VIN ranges, making VIN lookup more precise than keyword search
- NHTSA's SaferCar system is the authoritative source for vehicle recall status

**How to Check Vehicle Recalls:**
1. Use our **Vehicle Check** page
2. Enter your 17-character VIN
3. We'll redirect you to NHTSA's official SaferCar system with your VIN pre-filled
4. NHTSA will show all open and completed recalls for your specific vehicle

**Future Plans:** We're working on integrating NHTSA recall data into search results, but for now, the Vehicle Check page provides the most accurate vehicle recall information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Agency Resources

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