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How to Know if a Product Has Been Recalled. Every year products get recalled, but most
never make the newspapers. Find out from readily available online resources if a product that
you own has been recalled by a company or manufacturer. You will need Internet access
and product information. Step 1. Know about Recalls.gov, representing consumer protection
arms of six federal agencies including the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Step 2. Search the CPSC database by product type, specific company, product description,
types of hazards, and where the product was manufactured. Step 3. Find auto, truck, and
motorcycle product recalls at Safercar.gov. Search by model year, make, and specific vehicle
equipment such as tires and child restraints. The (EPA) has consumer protection jurisdiction
over vehicle emissions recalls, as listed in a series of annual reports. Step 4. Search
for recreational boat and related equipment recalls at the U.S. Coast Guard's database.
Search by company, model year, and type of problem. Step 5. Search the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) database. Product recalls include human/animal drugs, cosmetics, and
80 percent of foods eaten in the United States. Food products not under the FDA's jurisdiction
are protected by the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
Step 6. Read FSIS recalls of meat, poultry, and egg products at federally inspected plants.
These cases are listed by year. Step 7. Be aware of your own food handling practices.
BeFoodSafe.org is a consumer education site sponsored by the Agriculture Department and
FDA. Did you know In 1972, Volkswagen recalled 3.7 million vehicles manufactured between
1947 and 1969 because of malfunctioning windshield wipers.