---
title: "Checking food recalls and what to do with a recalled item"
license: public-domain
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://www.foodsafety.gov/recalls-and-outbreaks
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: FoodSafety.gov (HHS), \"Recalls and Outbreaks\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-11-02
category: products
checked_on: 2026-11-02
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://www.foodsafety.gov/recalls-and-outbreaks
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
license_note: "Every fact below restates US government public-domain pages listed under sources. This summary is also offered as public domain."
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Courtesy of FoodSafety.gov (HHS). Public domain (US government work); use does not imply endorsement by FoodSafety.gov (HHS)."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 2026-11-02
overlaps_with: check-product-recalls
category: products
tags: products, food-safety, recalls
checked_on: 2026-11-02
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Recalls and Outbreaks"
    publisher: FoodSafety.gov (HHS)
    url: https://www.foodsafety.gov/recalls-and-outbreaks
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "Understanding FSIS Food Recalls"
    publisher: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
    url: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/understanding-fsis-food-recalls
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Checking food recalls and what to do with a recalled item

# Checking food recalls and what to do with a recalled item

## Summary
FoodSafety.gov gathers FDA and USDA food recalls. If a food in your home matches a recall's brand, size, dates and codes, don't eat it; return or throw it out as the notice says and clean surfaces it touched.

> **Not medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.**

*Draft. License: public domain (US government work). Sources: [S1] FoodSafety.gov (HHS), "Recalls and Outbreaks"; [S2] USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, "Understanding FSIS Food Recalls".*

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: FDA handles recalls for most foods, while USDA FSIS handles meat, poultry and some egg products.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F2
  claim: FoodSafety.gov lists current recalls from both agencies in one place, and both offer email alerts.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F3
  claim: Match the product exactly by brand, size, dates and lot or UPC codes before acting on a recall.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F4
  claim: Do not eat a recalled product; return it for a refund or dispose of it as the notice directs.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02

## Pointers
- id: P1
  answers: Related published note: consumer product recalls (CPSC)
  where: check-product-recalls
  access: free, public web page

## See also
- Existing note `check-product-recalls` covers overlapping ground; this note adds a different angle and links to it rather than repeating it.