Product Recall Madness – How to Protect Yourself

Consumer protection

Lately it seems that every day we hear about another product recall. From an E. coli outbreak in spinach salad, salmonella in peanut butter, faulty car parts, toxic children’s toys, or contaminated medicine, it’s downright scary when we find out the products we use every day may actually be dangerous.

So how can you stay on top of the recall news and protect yourself from recalled products? Here are some quick tips to help you sort through the madness:

Be Smart:

The US Consumer Product and Safety Commission website lists recalls and warnings for thousands of consumer products. You can also sign up for recall alerts and e-mail notifications as well as report unsafe products through a simple submission process.

Similarly, the US Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting the public health by regulating drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. It also provides a resource for safety alerts where you can sign up for its latest recall warning news and even follow FDArecalls on Twitter.

And a combination of the CPSC and the FDA, Recalls.gov, is an excellent resource for the latest product recall information.

Take Action:

If you realize you are using a recalled product, stop doing so immediately. If you are sick or injured due to a faulty or contaminated product, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Also, remember to keep a record of the product details (name, codes, expiration date, receipts, etc.) and any medical or financial impact the recall caused.

Report the Problem:

File a complaint directly with the product manufacturer and supplier, and then follow up with the appropriate US government entity:

US Consumer Product Safety Commission

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or visit CPSC’s web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html

US Food and Drug Administration

In emergencies, consumers, food retailers and food service operators should call the FDA at (301) 443-1240 or visit http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm055676.htm

For less urgent problems, contact the FDA consumer complaint coordinator  in your geographic area or visit

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/default.htm

Legal Action:

If you are a victim of a product recall, you may have a legal case against the manufacturer. The best thing to do is consult with an experienced attorney who can review the facts and advise you of your options.
Similarly, the US Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting the public health by regulating drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. It also provides a resource for safety alerts where you can sign up for its latest recall warning news and even follow FDArecalls on Twitter.

 

And a combination of the CPSC and the FDA, Recalls.gov, is an excellent resource for the latest product recall information.

 

Take Action:

 

If you realize you are using a recalled product, stop doing so immediately. If you are sick or injured due to a faulty or contaminated product seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Also, remember to keep a record of the product details (name, codes, expiration date, receipts, etc.) and any medical or financial impact the recall caused.

 

Report the Problem:

 

File a complaint directly with the product manufacturer and supplier and then follow up with the appropriate US government entity:

 

US Consumer Product Safety Commission

 

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or visit CPSC’s web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html

US Food and Drug Administration

In emergencies, consumers, food retailers and food service operators should call the FDA at (301) 443-1240 or visit http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm055676.htm

For less urgent problems, contact the FDA consumer complaint coordinator  in your geographic area or visit http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/default.htm

Legal Action:

 

If you are a victim of a product recall, you may have a legal case against the manufacturer. The best thing to do is consult with an experienced attorney who can review the facts and advise you of your options.