Product Safety and Recalls

Product safety and recalls protect consumers from everyday risks posed by food, medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, and other goods. Federal agencies monitor products, issue safety alerts, and coordinate recalls so you can act quickly if an item you use is unsafe.

How oversight works

Different agencies regulate different products: the FDA oversees food, drugs, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and medical devices, with distinct rules for approval and post‑market monitoring (How Medical Devices Are Regulated—And What Patients Need to Know) and specific guidance on cosmetics and supplements (FDA Cosmetics Regulation and Safety), (How Dietary Supplements Can Be Sold Without FDA Approval).

Recalls, warnings, and what to do

Agencies issue warning letters and safety alerts and coordinate voluntary or mandatory recalls; learn how to interpret those notices (Understanding FDA Warning Letters and Safety Alerts). If food, medicine, or a device you use is recalled, follow official steps for safe disposal, returns, or medical follow‑up (What to Do When Your Food Gets Recalled), (What to Do When Your Medicine Gets Recalled), (Medical Device Recalls: What Patients Need to Know).

Report hazards and know your rights

Reporting suspected problems helps agencies identify risks—use the appropriate channels for food (Reporting Food Problems to the Government) and for drugs or devices (Reporting Drug and Medical Device Problems to the FDA). If a defective product harms you, learn how legal doctrines like strict liability and negligence per se can affect your rights (Strict Liability vs. Negligence Per Se).