Current food recalls

Frequently asked questions

What is a food recall?

A food recall removes a product from sale, and from homes, because it may be unsafe: bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella or E. coli, an undeclared allergen, foreign material, a contaminant such as lead, or a processing problem. The FDA oversees most foods; the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) oversees meat, poultry and egg products.

What do Class I, II and III mean?

Class I is the most serious: a reasonable probability that the product will cause serious health problems or death. Class II may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems. Class III is unlikely to cause adverse health consequences.

How do I know if my product is recalled?

Compare the brand, UPC, lot code and best-by date printed on the package with the recall notice. A product is only affected if its codes match. The Numeline app does this for you: scan the lot number and it checks it against official FDA and USDA recalls.

What should I do with a recalled food?

Do not eat it. Return it to the store for a refund or throw it away, as the notice says. If you ate it and feel sick, contact a healthcare provider and mention the product.

How often is this list updated?

Every day, automatically, from FDA enforcement data and USDA FSIS recall notices. It covers food recalls classified over the last 60 days. Our blog explains the most important ones.