Where to find the lot number on a product

Look beside the best-by, use-by or expiration date. On food and formula the lot is usually on the lid, bottom or back; on medicine it’s next to EXP; on appliances it’s on the rating label with the model and serial number. It may say Lot, L, Batch or Code. The barcode digits are the UPC, not the lot.

Recalled or Not? is an independent search aid, not affiliated with FDA, CPSC, USDA or NHTSA. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.

Where to find the lot number, by product type

Drinks / bottled beverages: Gatorade and other bottled drinks carry a printed date and production code. See where the lot number is on a Gatorade bottle for the 2026 recall codes.

Packaged food

Check next to the date, on the top or bottom, the back panel, or the lid or seal. The code may say “Lot,” “L,” “Batch” or “Code,” or it may be an unlabeled string beside the date. The UPC — the digits under the barcode — only identifies the kind of product; USDA FSIS notes UPCs “are not required by regulation” and are used for checkout and inventory. A recall record written this way: “LOT: A6FF4, Best By: 11/2028” (FDA H-1222-2026).

Source: USDA FSIS Food Product Dating; openFDA food enforcement records. Locations are practical guidance.

Canned goods

Every sealed can of low-acid food must carry an identifying code “permanently visible to the naked eye.” The code identifies the plant, the product, and the year, day and period it was packed; if the can can’t be embossed or inked, the code can go on a securely attached label (21 CFR 113.60(c)). FSIS explains that can codes track the product and help locate it in a recall; they aren’t a best-by date for shoppers. Example: “CAN CODE: 3700/01115 Best by: NOV/26/2027” (FDA H-0259-2025). It’s often on the lid or bottom.

Source: 21 CFR 113.60(c); FSIS Food Product Dating.

Eggs

Cartons with the USDA grade shield must show the plant number — a “P” followed by three or four digits, such as P-1234 — and a three-digit pack date that counts the day of the year (001 = January 1). Don’t confuse the egg carton’s P number with the FSIS poultry “P-” establishment number. Our egg recalls page shows how to read a carton against a recall.

Source: USDA AMS Shell Eggs Q&A; FSIS Food Product Dating.

Meat, poultry and processed egg products (USDA)

USDA-inspected products carry an establishment number in or near the mark of inspection: “EST.” for meat, “P-” for poultry, and “Plant” or “G” for egg products. It may instead be on a metal clip or an aluminum tray, with a note such as “EST. No. on Metal Clip” next to the mark. This site’s lot search does not include USDA FSIS recalls — check the FSIS recalls page for meat, poultry and egg products.

Source: FSIS: How to Find the USDA Establishment Number.

Infant formula and baby food

Each production batch of infant formula must be coded so it can be traced to the product, plant, year, day and period it was packed (21 CFR 106.80), and the label must show a “Use by” month and year (21 CFR 107.20(c)). In the 2022 powdered-formula recall, FDA told parents the lot code is “on the bottom of the package” and defined the recall by a rule — the first two digits of the code, letters in it and the expiration date — rather than a list of lots. Some formula lot codes are long, like 408125075E14F2 (FDA H-1137-2026), so copy every character. Treat baby food jars and pouches like packaged food.

Source: 21 CFR 106.80; 21 CFR 107.20; FDA 2022 formula investigation.

Medicines (over-the-counter and prescription)

FDA: “If the lot number is on the medication bottle, it is usually imprinted on the label and is normally found next to the expiration date. It will also be printed on the back of a blister pack.” To check a drug recall you need the manufacturer or labeler name, the National Drug Code (NDC), the lot number and the active ingredient(s). Manufacturers’ prescription labels must carry a lot or control number (21 CFR 201.100(b)(6)), but a pharmacy-filled bottle may not show it — FDA says to contact your pharmacist. Don’t stop taking a medicine on your own; talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. For OTC medicine, keep the outer carton until you finish the product.

Source: FDA ARB recall FAQ; FDA: Understanding drug recalls; 21 CFR 201.100.

Example: the Amazon Basic Care 500 mg acetaminophen recall includes both ACD124048A (1000-count) and ACD124048B (500-count). Match the final letter and bottle size, not just the brand or barcode.

Supplements and vitamins

Supplement makers must be able to trace “the complete manufacturing history and control of the packaged and labeled dietary supplement” (21 CFR 111.410(d)), so look for a lot or batch code on the bottle or tub label, usually beside the best-by or EXP date. Recall records read like “Lot: CA1G24 Expiration: 08-2027” (FDA H-1190-2026).

Source: 21 CFR 111.410; openFDA food enforcement records.

Medical devices

Device labels and every device package must bear a unique device identifier (UDI) (21 CFR 801.20). The UDI has a device identifier (the labeler and model) and production identifiers such as the lot or batch number, serial number, expiration date or manufacture date; dates are written YYYY-MM-DD. FDA’s GUDID database holds only the device identifier, not lot or serial numbers, so check the recall notice. Examples: “UDI: (01)00885825017231/ Lots: 16188647…” (Z-3183-2026) and “Device Serial Numbers begin with STU” (Z-3143-2026).

Source: FDA UDI Basics; 21 CFR 801.20.

Cosmetics and personal care

A lot number isn’t among the label items FDA lists as required for cosmetics, so some products have none. Where there is one, it’s often stamped on the crimped end of a tube, the bottom of a bottle or jar, or the back of a wipes pouch. If you can’t find a code, contact the company named on the label.

Source: FDA cosmetics labeling regulations. Locations are practical guidance.

Appliances, electronics and tools

These recalls are usually defined by model number plus a serial number range or date code, not a “lot.” CPSC notices say where to look, for example:

• Char-Broil electric grills: “The product label listing the model and serial number, including a four-digit manufacturing date code in year and month (YYMM) format, is located on the bottom shelf…” (CPSC 26773)
• Amana air conditioners: “The model number is located on the front of the unit on the front edge of the base pan on a white sticker.” (CPSC 26581)
• AGA dual-fuel ranges: “The serial number is on the rating plate, which is located on the bottom panel of the unit under the storage drawer.” (CPSC 26756)
• Cooluli minifridges: “The model (ITEM #:) and batch numbers are printed on a label on the inside of the minifridge door.” (CPSC 26685)
• Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners: a “date code printed on the side of the bottle.” (CPSC 26741)

Search these notices by brand or model with our CPSC recall check.

Toys and children’s products

Children’s products must carry permanent “tracking labels” on the product and its packaging, where practicable. The label must let you work out the manufacturer or private labeler, the location and date of production, and batch or run details; it may be in code “as long as the consumer knows who to contact” to read it. Durable infant and toddler products (cribs, strollers, high chairs and similar) must also be permanently marked with the model name and number and date of manufacture, and come with a registration card (16 CFR 1130). Recall examples: “Date codes … are printed on the product packaging” (Melissa & Doug, CPSC 26780); “The model number and date code are printed on the neck tag” (youth clothing, CPSC 26724); “The model number can be found on the fabric wash and care label” (baby swings, CPSC 26688). See child product recalls, or search them with the CPSC recall check.

Source: CPSC tracking label guidance; 16 CFR 1130.

Car seats and booster seats

A label on the seat must show the model name or number, the manufacturer and “Manufactured in ____” with the month and year (49 CFR 571.213 S5.5.2). Car seat recalls are handled by NHTSA, not CPSC, and they aren’t in the lot search above. Search the brand and model in NHTSA’s Car Seat tab at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or check car seat and tire recalls on our NHTSA page. NHTSA also recommends that you register your car seat with the manufacturer.

Source: 49 CFR 571.213; NHTSA car seats.

Tires

The tire identification number (TIN) is molded into one sidewall. It ends with a four-digit date code: the week and year the tire was made (49 CFR 574.5). Check tire recalls with NHTSA’s Tire search; the free-replacement limits are explained on our NHTSA recall check.

Source: 49 CFR 574.5.

Pet food

Treat it like packaged food: look for the lot and best-by date on the back or bottom of the bag or near the seal (practical guidance).

Lot number vs batch code vs UPC vs model and serial number

• Lot or batch: one production run made under the same conditions. For drugs, the lot number must make it possible to determine the complete manufacturing history (21 CFR 201.18).
• UPC / barcode: identifies the kind of product for checkout and inventory; not required by regulation (FSIS).
• Model number: the design or version. Serial number: one individual unit.
• Date code / Julian date: a coded production date — for example the three-digit egg pack date (AMS), or the year, day and period in a can code (21 CFR 113.60(c)).
• EST, P- or G number: the USDA-inspected plant (FSIS).
• NDC: the drug product code (FDA). UDI: the device identifier plus lot, serial or dates (FDA).

How to match your code to a recall notice

1. Match the product first: brand, product name, size or count, and flavor or model all have to match.
2. Copy the code exactly: keep letters, dashes and leading zeros. Notices may list single codes, ranges, prefixes (“Device Serial Numbers begin with STU”) or rules (in 2022, FDA defined a formula recall by the first two digits of the code, letters in it and the expiration date).
3. Check the dates: best-by, use-by or EXP ranges often narrow the recall.
4. Check the UPC if listed. A matching UPC alone doesn’t prove your package is included.
5. Check where and when it was sold: states, retailers, distribution dates.
6. “All lots” / “all codes” recalls: if a notice says all lots or all codes are recalled, a code match isn’t needed. The product name and size are enough (for example FDA H-0534-2026, “All Codes”, and H-0249-2026, “All batches and codes within expiry”).
7. Can’t tell? Call the company number in the notice. For medicine, call your pharmacist.

Worked example: Prolon Everyday Apulian Almond & Cocoa Spread → Lot code L2755, Expiration 02 Jan 2027 → FDA recall H-1335-2026 (Class II, undeclared tree nuts). Enter “Prolon” and “L2755” in the search above to see the record.

What this lot number search checks

• Searches: CPSC recalls and FDA food, drug and device Enforcement records. Every result links to an official record.
• Doesn’t search: USDA FSIS meat, poultry and egg products (FSIS recalls); NHTSA car seats and tires (NHTSA recall check); Canada, EU and UK codes (Canada, EU, UK recall lists).
• No match does not prove a product is safe.

For food and medicine specifically, the FDA food and drug recall checker explains FDA’s records; recent food notices are on latest FDA food recalls.

If your code matches

Stop using the item (for medicine, ask your pharmacist or doctor first) and follow the remedy in the official notice. See what to do with a recalled product for refunds, receipts, disposal and reporting.

If nothing matches or you can’t find a code

No matching record does not prove that a product is safe. Official data can arrive late, omit an identifier or be temporarily unavailable. Try the brand and product name without a code. If you can’t find a code, photograph every side of the package, keep the box or receipt, and contact the manufacturer; for prescriptions, ask the pharmacy. The recall checker FAQ and how to check if a product is recalled explain these limits.

Official sources

• FDA: ARB recalls — how to find the lot number on medicine
• FDA: Understanding drug recalls
• FDA: 2022 powdered infant formula investigation (lot code on the bottom of the package)
• FDA: UDI Basics
• FDA: Cosmetics labeling regulations
• USDA FSIS: Food Product Dating (can codes, UPCs, egg pack dates)
• USDA FSIS: How to Find the USDA Establishment (EST) Number
• USDA AMS: Shell Eggs Q&A (plant number and pack date)
• CPSC: Tracking label business guidance
• 16 CFR 1130 — durable infant or toddler product registration and marking
• 21 CFR 113.60(c) — can codes
• 21 CFR 106.80 — infant formula traceability codes
• 21 CFR 107.20(c) — infant formula Use by date
• 21 CFR 201.18 — drug lot numbers
• 21 CFR 201.100(b)(6) — prescription drug lot or control number
• 21 CFR 111.410(d) — dietary supplement traceability
• 21 CFR 801.20 — UDI on device labels and packages
• 49 CFR 571.213 S5.5.2 — car seat labels
• 49 CFR 574.5 — tire identification number
• NHTSA: Check for Recalls (Car Seat and Tire tabs)
• NHTSA: Car Seats and Booster Seats (registration)
• USDA FSIS: Recalls and public health alerts

Last reviewed September 30, 2026. Recall examples come from openFDA Enforcement records and CPSC recall notices.