What to Do If You Bought a Recalled Product

Finding out something you own is recalled is unsettling, but the process from there is usually straightforward. Here's what to expect.

1. Stop using it immediately if the recall says so

Most recall notices explicitly state whether you should stop using the product right away. For anything involving fire, fall, choking, or entrapment hazards, treat that instruction as non-negotiable, even if the product has seemed fine so far — recalls are usually issued after a pattern of incidents, not a single fluke.

2. Identify your remedy: refund, repair, or replacement

Every recall notice specifies what the manufacturer is offering — typically one of a full refund, a free repair kit, or a replacement unit. The notice will include exact instructions: a phone number, an online form, or a mail-in process. Follow the process listed on the official notice rather than a third-party summary, since remedy options occasionally change after the initial announcement.

3. Keep your proof of purchase if you have it

A receipt speeds things up, but most recall programs don't require one — manufacturers generally want the recalled units out of circulation more than they care about verifying the original sale.

4. For food recalls specifically

• Don't taste it to check — many food recalls involve contamination that isn't detectable by smell, taste, or appearance
• Check the lot number, UPC, and "best by" date against the recall notice — not every unit of a product is always affected
• Either return it to the store for a refund or discard it in a way that pets and other people can't access it

5. Report a safety problem the recall didn't already cover

If you experienced an injury or a defect that doesn't match the recall description, you can file a report directly with CPSC at SaferProducts.gov or with the FDA through its MedWatch or Safety Reporting Portal — this is also how new recalls often get started.