What to Do When You Already Have a Recalled Product
The item in your fridge is on the list. Whether to toss it, return it, or worry about what you already ate depends on the recall class.
- 1
Stop using it and isolate it
Set the product aside so no one in the house eats it by accident. For a Class I recall, do not open it to inspect; pathogens and allergens are invisible and the product can look completely normal.
- 2
Choose disposal or refund
Most notices give two options: throw it away, or return it to the store for a refund. If you dispose of it, seal it in a bag so animals or others cannot get to it. Keep the receipt or a photo of the label if you want the refund.
- 3
Decide if you need to see a doctor
If you already ate a Class I recalled food and feel sick, or you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, contact a doctor. Listeria symptoms can appear weeks later. Report what happened to the FDA at safetyreporting.hhs.gov so it feeds into the broader investigation.