A product recall is a request from a manufacturer to return a product after the discovery of safety issues or product defects that might endanger the consumer or put the maker or seller at risk of legal action. Product recalls are one of a number of corrective actions that can be taken for products that are deemed to be unsafe.
The recall is an effort to limit ruination of the corporate image and limit liability for corporate negligence, which can cause significant legal costs. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to determine how costly can be releasing to the consumer a product that could endanger someone's life and the economic loss resulting from unwanted publicity. Recalls are costly. Costs include having to handle the recalled product, replacing it and possibly being held financially responsible for the consequences of the recalled product.
A country's consumer protection laws may include specific requirements in regard to product recalls. Such regulations may include how much of the cost the maker will have to bear, situations in which a recall is compulsory (usually because the risk is big enough), or penalties for failure to recall. The firm may also initiate a recall voluntarily, perhaps subject to the same regulations as if the recall were compulsory.
Some standards for product recall is the British Standards Institute's PAS 7100:2022 standard, Supporting Better Product Recalls, aims to help businesses plan in advance for conducting a product recall. [1]
The steps involved in a product recall vary by country and by industry, but generally follow a similar sequence. Businesses begin by investigating the problem, identifying the affected products, batches, and their distribution within the supply chain. Authorities may be notified early in the process. A risk assessment is then carried out to determine whether a recall is necessary, and whether it should be limited to a trade-level recall—in which products are withdrawn from wholesalers, distributors, or retailers—or extended to a consumer-level recall, which applies when products have already been sold to the public and requires direct consumer notification. Trade-level recalls are typically associated with quality or labelling issues, while consumer-level recalls usually involve safety hazards such as contamination or undeclared allergens. [2]
If a recall proceeds, businesses usually place affected stock on hold and inform distributors, retailers, and consumers as appropriate. Consumer-level recalls are often publicized through government websites, company websites, social media, press releases, and point-of-sale notices, and in some cases consumers are contacted directly. Consumers are generally asked to return the affected product for a refund, replacement, or modification. Retailers and distributors report the quantities returned, enabling the recalling business to reconcile these with production figures and determine whether further product remains in circulation. [2]
Once the recall is complete, businesses typically conduct an internal review to assess the effectiveness of the recall, identify any unreturned product, and put in place measures to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future. [2] Legal requirements for consumer compensation, notification procedures, and the degree of government involvement vary by jurisdiction.
Some standards for product recall is the British Standards Institute's PAS 7100:2022 standard, Supporting Better Product Recalls, aims to help businesses plan in advance for conducting a product recall. [1]
In general, the number of recalls has been increasing – with an exception during the economic crisis of 2009–2010 – due to time, cost and market pressure. Per year, global automotive warranties are estimated as US$40 billion, 3–5% loss in sales.
Low-priced production often leads to minor quality, and outsourcing leads to a shift of knowledge concerning techniques and processes. [3] This way, technical failures are more likely to occur due to communication problems between the different parties engaged in the supply chain and missing definitions for technical interfaces. Despite the increasing number of recalls, a Mojo Motors study found only .005 percent of customers ask about recalls when contacting dealerships. [4] Since 1966, 390 million motor vehicles have been recalled in the USA. [5] 29 million cars were recalled in 2018. That number is down from its peak of 50 million in 2016, but on average, recalls are on the rise. More cars have been recalled between 2015 and 2020 than between 2003 and 2014. [6]
Some of the largest automotive recalls include 1.12 million cars recalled by Toyota in December 2022. The recall included various models of Avalon, Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Lexus ES series, RX350 Highlander, and Sienna Hybrid, due to a fault in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors that could cause the airbags not to deploy as designed. [7]
Manufacturers have to notify the owner when there is a recall notice, but in the case of a second, third or fourth owner of the car, the company may be sending the notice to a previous one. [8]
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Over 3000 food products were recalled in the US in 2016 according to the US Food and Drug Administration Enforcement reports. Individual recall events caused by contamination from foreign bodies (physical contamination from metal, glass, plastic, wood etc.) has increased by 76% in 2016 compared with 2015. This increase in 2016 is even more marked when looking at the number of products recalled (as opposed to recall event) due to foreign body contamination. In 2016 there were 422 products recalled due to foreign body contamination, whilst in 2015 there were 108; almost a 300% increase.
Every year, there are several pet food and treat recalls due to spoiled or tainted ingredients. Perhaps the most known was in 2007. The 2007 pet food recalls involved the massive recall of many brands of cat and dog foods beginning in March 2007. The recalls came in response to reports of renal failure in pets consuming mostly wet pet foods made with wheat gluten from a single Chinese company, beginning in February 2007. The recall began voluntarily with the Canadian company Menu Foods on March 16, 2007, when a company test showed sickness and death in some of the test animals. Overall, several major companies have recalled 150 different brands of food comprising more than 5,000 separate pet food products. The FDA and USDA investigation found the food to be intentionally contaminated with the chemical melamine. [9]
However pet food recalls are not rare at all. The 2007 recall stands out and is well known because of the sheer size, scope, and number of animals affected. But pet food recalls occur on a regular basis. For instance, on September 12, 2008, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of all dry pet food products produced at its plant in Everson, Pennsylvania, citing potential contamination with salmonella . [10] [11]
On July 23, 2018, Pepperidge Farm announced that the Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar Goldfish crackers were being recalled due to possible salmonella contamination in the whey powder used on them. This recall also affected the Flavor Blasted Sour Cream and Onion, Whole Grain Xtra Cheddar, and Xtra Cheddar and Pretzel varieties. [12]
Also, more snack products were recalled for various safety reasons. Mondelēz Global LLC recalled all Ritz Crackers products that are containing whey after traces of salmonella were detected on the whey powder. The recall includes Ritz cheese cracker sandwiches and mixed cookie and cracker variety packs. Flower Foods recalled all of their Swiss Rolls products sold under the H-E-B, Food Lion, Mrs. Freshley's, Baker's Treat, Market Square, and Great Value brands due to contamination of salmonella. John Derst's Old Fashioned Bread was also affected by the recall. Pinnacle Foods, Inc. issued a recall on all Hungry Man BBQ boneless chicken wing products due to salmonella being detected in the whey powder of the ranch dressing. [13]
Produce recall
Beginning November 3, 2019, Mann Packing Co., Inc.and all associated vegetable produces were recalled due to the potential of Listeria monocytogenes. This included Wegmans veggie power blend, Meijer vegetable trays, Ghnw, LLC mushroom stirfry blend, Russ Davis, and Tahar veggie and ranch cups including cauliflower. [14]
With the earliest recall being July 31, 2020, food products associated with onions from Thomson International, Inc. were recalled due to the risk of salmonella. This included many companies associated closely with produce and vegetables: Progressive Produce LLC, Spokane Produce, Inc., Hello Fresh, Emerald Fruit & Produce Inc., etc. The last recall associated with Thomson International, Inc. was August 19, 2020. [15] Another onion induced recall was on October 20, 2021, when ProSource Produce LLC had a company announcement, soon followed by Keeler Family Farms as well. Onion meal kits and onions themselves of ProSource Produce LLC, Pier-C Produce Inc., Potandon Produce LLC, HelloFresh, and EveryPlate were recalled due to the risk of salmonella. [16]
On November 9, 2023 as well as later dates of November 16th and the 22nd, Sofia Produce LLC dba TruFresh issued a company announcement, with Crown Jewels Produce following suit November 22, 2023. Pacific Trellis Fruit dba Delcinea did the same on November 24, 2023. The recall was regarding food products associated with cantaloupe due to a risk of salmonella. The recalls started November 14, 2023, and included companies such as: Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company, CF Dallas, LLC, Bix Produce, Kwik Trip, GHGA, LLC, and TGD Cuts, LLC. [17]
On September 10, 2020, the frequencies of ABS-CBN Channel 2, alongside its digital channels such as Yey!, Asianovela Channel, and Movie Central, as well as terrestrial operations of cable channels such as Cine Mo!, TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Jeepney TV, Myx, and Knowledge Channel on ABS-CBN TV Plus, and other pertinent local TV and radio stations, were recalled by the Philippine National Telecommunications Commission citing the absence of a valid, legislative franchise. The provisional authorities and certificates of public convenience granted to ABS-CBN were also taken away by the said government agency. [18] [19]
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steering linkage (pitman arm) failed on many cars while making a 90 degree turn at 10 to 15 mph (24 km/h); that the arms were made of metal somewhat softer than that usually employed to withstand the stresses of low-speed turns; and that General Motors had sold six times as many pitman arm replacement units during those years than during the preceding and succeeding years.
In the Pinto case, the highway safety agency made an initial determination in May 1978 that a defect existed in the fuel tank system...Days before a formal recall order was to be issued by the Government, Ford voluntarily recalled more than a million Pintos for modifications of the fuel tank system.
But NHTSA, a Department of Transportation agency, informed Ford on May 8 about results of the new investigation, which concluded that Pintos had a safety defect...Ford Motor Co. yesterday recalled 1.5 million Pinto and Mercury Bobcat cars, to make alterations that will reduce the risk of fuel tank fires in rear-end accidents...Yesterday's recall, one of the largest in automotive history, was not the first involving the Pinto...
...the Pinto was the subject of the largest recall in automobile history at the time.