Recall Apps Make Keeping Up With Recalls Easy

Posted: 03/22/2013  browse the blog archive

Whether it's a false lighter to wave at a concert, a directional compass, or getting the latest updates from The New York Times, there is, in fact, an app for that.  As it turns out, there's also an app for keeping up with the latest food, auto, and consumer products recalls.  In fact, there are several.

Recalled! and RecallWatch are both lightweight, straightforward apps for Android phones, suitable for anyone who wants to keep track of the latest in product recalls.  Recalled! retrieves recall information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while RecallWatch displays advisories from the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)/United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), MedWatch, Pet Health, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as the FDA and the CPSC.  

Recalls+ is more robust with a variety of features, though it does require some form of registration (Facebook, Twitter, or a Recalls+ account) in order to access most of the app's functions, such as a watchlist where users can track current or potential future products and an inbox where one receives alerts if the product on the watchlist is recalled.  Users also have the ability to share recalls with friends or family and can search recalls by product name, brand, or food allergen.  Recalls+ is available for both Android phones and iPhones.

Recalls.gov is an official application of the federal government and also has a number of features besides just tracking the latest recall advisories.  Recalls.gov displays recent recalls for child safety seats, consumer products, drugs, food, autos, and tires, allows for searching, and even lets users perform a barcode scan to see if the product has been recalled.  Users can also report an incident via the app.  This app is available only for Android.