Risks Remain After Product Recalls

August 2008

Although the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) points to the growing number of product recalls as a sign that the system is working to protect the public, experts say that product recalls do not guarantee that potentially dangerous items are not being used by consumers. In fact, it has been found that that majority of consumers do not respond when product recalls are announced.

According to the CPSC, only 15 to 30 percent of people who purchase a defective product respond when the item is recalled, putting children and adults at risk for injuries. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that recall notification is generally low-profile, often depending upon press releases being picked up by the media. Furthermore, even if consumers learn about a recall, returning products to retailers or manufacturers can be so troublesome many customers do not return their purchases. Complicating the situation is the fact that some people never learn about a recall because they bought the item used or because many childcare centers and stores never receive direct recall notifications.

Some retailers are becoming more involved in the recall process by hiring additional staff to work on safety issues, and others have programmed cash registers to reject recalled products that have accidentally stayed on shelves. Toys "R" Us has begun a "no quibble" policy, accepting returns for any recalled product it has carried whether or not the item was purchased at one of their stores.