Consumer guide · Last reviewed: September 25, 2026
What to do with a recalled product (and how to get a refund)
If something you own is recalled, stop using or eating it (for medicine, call your pharmacist or doctor first) and match the model, lot, UPC or date to the official recall notice. If it matches, follow that notice: the remedy is usually a refund, repair or replacement. Don't sell, donate or give it to pets. No match never means safe.
Step 1: Stop using it — then confirm it's really your product
Stop using or eating the item and put it where children and pets can't reach it. The one exception is medicine: call your pharmacist or doctor before you stop (see If it's medicine).
Recalls are narrow. A recall of one lot of eggs or one model of heater doesn't cover every carton or every heater from that brand, so check each code printed on the item against the notice:
- Consumer products: brand, product name, model and serial number.
- Food and medicine: lot or batch code, UPC, and best-by or use-by date.
- Meat and poultry: the USDA establishment (EST) number on the package.
CPSC notes that recalls sometimes affect only specific batches and asks consumers to pay close attention to model numbers. FDA says to read the recall notice carefully: notices usually include the product name, package, UPC, lot codes, sell-by or use-by dates, and where it was distributed.
Where to find the lot number, model or UPC
Food and medicine codes are printed on the package or label, often next to the best-by or expiration date. Model and serial numbers are on the product's rating label or in its manual. Our lot number recall checker explains how to read these codes and search by them.
If nothing matches
It isn't part of that recall — but a no-match never proves an item is safe. If it seems dangerous, stop using it and report it.
Source: CPSC Recall Complaint Form · FDA: Food Recalls — What You Need to Know
What remedy you'll get: refund, repair or replacement
The recall notice — not the store's normal return policy — tells you the remedy. CPSC recall notices use these remedy types:
- Refund: you may receive a full or partial refund, or a gift card, for the recalled product.
- Repair: the company is offering a repair to the recalled product.
- Replace: the company is offering a replacement — a new product or other products of similar value.
- Dispose: the product should be thrown out or recycled.
- Remedy no longer available: the recalled product should be thrown out or recycled.
- New instructions: the company will issue new instructions on how to make the recalled product safe.
The remedy is agreed between the company and CPSC. CPSC staff do not negotiate a bigger refund on behalf of individual consumers. Real example: the Ricky Joy Sour Crush candy recall lists a refund as the remedy, with a prepaid return label (CPSC notice).
If the company doesn't respond
Contact the company first, using the consumer contact in the recall notice, and give it time to reply. If you still get no response, file CPSC's Recall Complaint Form. That form is for problems with a recall — it is not a way to request the remedy itself.
Source: CPSC Recalls (remedy definitions) · CPSC Recall Complaint Form
Who handles your recall (and how the remedy works)
The agency depends on the product. Use this table to find the right one, then read its section below.
| Product | Agency | Check on Recalled or Not? |
|---|---|---|
| Toys, appliances, furniture, power banks | CPSC | CPSC recall checker |
| Food (including shell eggs), supplements, pet food | FDA | FDA recall checker |
| Medicines and medical devices | FDA | FDA recall checker |
| Meat, poultry, processed egg products | USDA FSIS | FSIS recalls (official) |
| Cars, car seats, tires | NHTSA | NHTSA recall checker |
| Canada | Health Canada, CFIA, Transport Canada | Latest Canada recalls |
| European Union | Safety Gate, RASFF | Latest EU RASFF alerts |
Consumer products (CPSC): toys, appliances, furniture, power banks
CPSC recalls use the remedy types above. Ask the company named in the notice for the remedy. If the company doesn't honor the recall, use the Recall Complaint Form; report a dangerous product at SaferProducts.gov. Browse recent child product recalls or use the CPSC recall checker.
Source: CPSC Recalls · SaferProducts.gov
Food, supplements, pet food (FDA)
FDA oversees all foods except meat, poultry and processed egg products — so recalled shell eggs, like the Happy Hens egg recall, fall under FDA (see all egg recalls). Pet food and supplements do too (for example, the Fi dog supplement recall). FDA says: “Often, recalled products may be returned to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. If not, dispose of the product properly.” See the latest FDA food recalls or the FDA recall checker.
Source: FDA: Food Recalls — What You Need to Know
Medicines and medical devices (FDA)
Compare the lot number on your medicine's label with the recall notice. Class I notices generally tell patients what to do — follow the company's instructions. For Class II and III recalls, FDA says you can generally continue taking the medicine unless told otherwise, because stopping your medicine may be more harmful. FDA also notes that companies may advise consumers to return recalled medications to their place of purchase, and that most retailers have established return and refund policies for recalled products. Ask your pharmacy how its process works.
Source: FDA: Understanding Drug Recalls · FDA recall classes
Meat, poultry and processed egg products (USDA FSIS)
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service handles meat, poultry and egg products. Match the establishment (EST) number on the package: poultry numbers start with “P”, and egg products use “Plant” or a “G” prefix. For Class I recalls, FSIS publishes a list of retail stores that received the product. Questions go to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), weekdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET. Example: Ferrarini guanciale Listeria recall.
Source: FSIS: Understanding FSIS Food Recalls · FSIS recalls
Cars, car seats and tires (NHTSA)
Look up your VIN (or license plate) at NHTSA. Manufacturers must fix the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund or, in rare cases, repurchasing the vehicle. Follow any interim safety instructions from the manufacturer and contact your local dealership to fix the recalled part for free. NHTSA's VIN lookup doesn't show recalls that were already repaired, or recalls more than 15 years old unless the manufacturer offers longer coverage. This guide doesn't cover rental or loaner cars — ask the dealer. Start with our NHTSA recall checker.
Source: NHTSA Recalls
In Canada (Health Canada, CFIA, Transport Canada)
The Government of Canada's Recalls and safety alerts site covers consumer products, health products, food, and Transport Canada vehicle recalls. Report a product incident to Health Canada and a food concern to CFIA. Our latest Canada recalls page lists recent CFIA and Health Canada notices; it does not include Transport Canada vehicle recalls.
In the EU (Safety Gate, RASFF)
The EU's Your Europe portal says: “If you find that you have purchased a product that is the subject of a recall, follow the authorities' instructions carefully.” Check non-food products on Safety Gate and food on the RASFF Consumers Portal, or browse our latest EU RASFF alerts.
Source: Your Europe: product safety
If it's medicine: don't stop without asking
For most Class II and III drug recalls, FDA says you can generally keep taking the medicine unless the company tells you otherwise. Stopping suddenly can be riskier than the recall itself — call your pharmacist or doctor. For Class I recalls, follow the patient instructions in the notice and talk to your pharmacist or doctor right away. If you can't find a lot number on your bottle, ask your pharmacist which lot you received.
Source: FDA: Understanding Drug Recalls
Getting a refund at the store (Walmart, Costco, Amazon, Target, Kroger)
Store return policies vary and can change. Always start with the recall notice — it says whether to return the item to the store, contact the manufacturer, or dispose of it. The table below only quotes what each store's own official pages say.
| Store | Official recall page | What the store's pages say |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | corporate.walmart.com/recalls | Lists recalled products sold at Walmart, Walmart.com and Sam's Club, with links to the manufacturer's or regulator's press release: “The press releases provide the steps you should take.” Walmart says it does not send text messages about product recalls. Walmart's return policy, “Recalled Items” (updated August 17, 2026): Items Sold by Walmart:“Some recalled items are eligible for return, refund, or store credit from Walmart, but for others, you may need to work directly with the manufacturer for repair, replacement or refund. Some items may be eligible for refund but not return. More information about specific product recalls can be found here: Product Recalls. WIC/SNAP exclusions apply.” Items Sold by a Marketplace Seller: “Please follow the instructions in the recall notice, or contact or work directly with the manufacturer, or seller.” See Walmart recalls 2026 for recalls of items sold at Walmart. |
| Costco | costco.com/recalls | Lists recalls and product notices. Costco's general return policy is a “Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee” with exceptions (return policy); that page has no recall-specific rules. |
| Amazon | amazon.com/product-safety-alerts | “Your Recalls and Product Safety Alerts” shows recalled items from your orders and next steps; the public list covers items sold on Amazon since 2024. For questions about a specific recall, Amazon says to contact the product manufacturer, then the seller if you can't reach them (Amazon help); for Amazon's own brands, contact Amazon. |
| Target | target.com product recalls | Recall list and search. Target's general return policy (not a recall-specific rule) says that without proof of purchase you may receive a refund as a merchandise return card; stores can look up receipts with the card you paid with (no receipt, returns). |
| Kroger | kroger.com recall alerts | Kroger has a recall alerts page. One example, not a general policy: the CPSC notice for Kroger's Halloween skeleton wax candles told consumers to “return them to any Kroger store for a full refund in the original form of payment” (CPSC notice). |
Other stores and pharmacies were not reviewed for this guide. If your store isn't listed, follow the recall notice and ask the store directly.
No receipt? What usually matters instead
Many recall notices identify affected items by model, serial, lot or UPC printed on the product, so check what the notice asks for before assuming you need a receipt. Refund requirements are set in the notice — for example, CPSC notes a company may ask for a photo showing the product was destroyed or its power cord was cut. Store rules differ: Target's general policy, for example, offers a merchandise return card without proof of purchase.
- Photograph the label, lot number, model and UPC.
- Keep the packaging until the recall is resolved.
- Write down every contact with the company (date, who you spoke to, what they said) in case you need the CPSC Recall Complaint Form.
Source: CPSC Recall Complaint Form · Target: returns without a receipt
In the UK: Food Standards Agency alerts
In the UK, food recalls and allergy alerts are published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and the notice decides what you do: “The notice will also tell you how to return the item for a refund or what other steps you should take.” Shops also put up their own notices, and some UK notices say no receipt is needed, but that is set per notice, not a general rule. See the latest UK food recalls (FSA alerts) and UK return rights from official sources.
Source: FSA blog: what happens during a food recall
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Not affiliated with the Food Standards Agency.
How to throw away recalled food and medicine safely
Food
If the notice says to discard the food, FDA says to wrap contaminated food securely before putting it in the trash — and not to give it to a food bank or a pet. FoodSafety.gov then recommends cleaning your kitchen:
- Wash dishes, cookware and utensils that touched the food in hot, soapy water.
- Wash countertops and refrigerator shelves, then sanitize them with a diluted bleach solution: 1 tablespoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach per 1 gallon of water.
- For allergen recalls, if the food was already served, wash surfaces it may have touched.
Source: FDA: Food Recalls · FoodSafety.gov: Recalls and Outbreaks
Medicine
First check whether the recall notice says to return the medicine. If you need to dispose of it, FDA's order of preference is:
- A drug take-back location or a prepaid drug mail-back envelope.
- If the medicine is on FDA's flush list, flush it.
- Otherwise, mix it (don't crush tablets) with something unappealing such as cat litter or used coffee grounds, seal it in a bag, and put it in the trash. Scratch out personal information on the label.
To find a take-back site, FDA lists the DEA helpline: 1-800-882-9539.
Source: FDA: Disposal of Unused Medicines · FDA: Drug Take-Back Options
Batteries, power banks and appliances
Follow the disposal instructions in the recall notice. If the notice is unclear, ask the company listed in it before throwing the product away.
If you already ate or used it
FDA says: “Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.” Then report the problem (see the table below). This page is not medical advice.
How to report a problem, injury or illness
Report to the agency that covers the product:
| Problem | Where to report |
|---|---|
| Consumer product injury or hazard | SaferProducts.gov report, or the CPSC hotline 800-638-2772 |
| Company not honoring a recall | CPSC Recall Complaint Form |
| Side effect or problem with a drug, device or cosmetic | FDA MedWatch (online form or Form 3500B), via Report a Problem to the FDA |
| Food, supplement or infant formula | FDA's Report a Problem page (links to the Safety Reporting Portal), or call 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) / FDA consumer complaint coordinators. When we checked on September 25, 2026, the Safety Reporting Portal showed a technical-difficulties message; if it doesn't load, use the phone line. |
| Meat, poultry, egg products | USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-674-6854, or FSIS: Report a Problem with Food |
| Vehicle, tire or car seat | NHTSA: Report a Safety Problem |
| Canada | Health Canada consumer product incident report; CFIA food-related concern (1-800-442-2342) |
| European Union | Report to your national authority (Your Europe guidance); non-food products are shared through Safety Gate |
Watch out for fake recall texts and emails
Scammers use recalls as bait. The FTC describes texts claiming that “a routine quality inspection” found an item from your order “doesn't meet Amazon's standards or has been recalled,” then offering a full refund if you click a link — it's phishing. The FTC says:
- Don't click links or reply.
- Check by logging in to the company's website or app directly.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM) or use your phone's “report junk” option.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Walmart says it does not send text messages about product recalls and asks for screenshots of suspicious texts at [email protected]. Amazon recommends checking on Amazon.com or the Amazon app and sending suspicious messages to [email protected]. A tip: if a message only mentions “an item from your recent order” and pushes you to click, look the product up on the agency site or Recalled or Not? instead.
Source: FTC: scammy texts offering refunds · FTC: unexpected text scams · Walmart recalls · Amazon: how to avoid scams
Check your item now
- Search by lot, batch or UPC · search by product or brand · check a vehicle
- How to check if a product is recalled
- Latest recalls · latest FDA food recalls · child product recalls
- More examples: Whole Foods Cabricharme cheese (undeclared egg) · Recalled or Not? FAQ
FAQ
Can I get a refund for a recalled product?
Often, but it depends on the remedy in the recall notice. CPSC recalls list the remedy as a refund, repair, replacement, or disposal, and some say the remedy is no longer available. For food, FDA says recalled products can often be returned to the store for a full refund.
Do I need a receipt to return a recalled item?
Not always. Check what the recall notice asks for: many notices identify affected items by model, lot or UPC on the product. Store rules vary. For example, Target's general return policy says that without proof of purchase you may get a merchandise return card.
Should I throw recalled food away or return it?
Follow the notice. FDA says you can often return it to the store for a full refund; if not, dispose of it properly, wrap contaminated food securely, and never give it to a food bank or a pet. Then clean and sanitize surfaces it touched.
What should I do if I already ate a recalled food?
If you have symptoms, contact your health care provider, and report the problem to FDA (or to USDA for meat, poultry and egg products).
My medication was recalled. Should I stop taking it?
Don't stop on your own. Class I notices usually tell patients what to do. For Class II and III drug recalls, FDA says you can generally keep taking the medicine unless told otherwise, because stopping can be more harmful. Ask your pharmacist or doctor.
Are car recall repairs free?
Yes. NHTSA says owners should contact a local dealership to fix the recalled part for free. Manufacturers must remedy the defect by repair, replacement, refund or, rarely, repurchase. Check your VIN at NHTSA.
Can I sell or donate a recalled product?
No. CPSC's recall guidance states “It is illegal to sell a recalled product,” and FDA says not to give recalled food to others, such as a food bank or a pet.
Is this recall text message real?
Be careful. The FTC warns about fake texts that claim an item was recalled and offer a refund through a link. Don't click. Check your account or the agency site directly, forward the text to 7726, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Walmart says it does not send recall texts.
Recalled or Not? is an independent search of official records and is not a government website. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice. The recall notice and the company's instructions decide the remedy.