Too often, consumers end up suffering adverse reactions linked to contaminated, tainted, or mislabeled drugs or food items before they even learn the product was recalled.
Many cases associated with food borne illness outbreaks or other health complications are sometimes reported long before companies issue recalls. This delay ends putting the lives of several consumers in danger.
To avoid further incidents, consumers are encouraged to stay on top of recall news at all times, just in case a product or drug they use has been impacted by a safety recall campaign. While we make an effort to make sure that we cover the most important recall notices, we understand that several other campaigns end up going under-reported. So that you and your loved ones are safe, we decided to come up with a short guide that may give you a few ideas on how to stay alert and on top of all recall news reports.
Drug, Medical Device Recalls Keep On Rising
In the last two years, the number of recalls associated with drugs and medical devices has risen considerably, putting safety regulators and the public on edge. In order to ensure that recalls reach those who are most likely to get injured or directly impacted, safety advocacy groups and regulators are urging consumers to focus on reports coming from the Food and Drug Administration so they are safe.
If you rely on a particular medication, your pharmacy or healthcare provider is usually the channel to contact whenever you have a question regarding a recall. In most cases, they are the ones who will be contacting you in case a recall has impacted a product you use. For all other cases, staying tuned to recall reports online is your best bet.
When it comes to drug, food, and medical device recall, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should be your number one source for all recall reports. Reports of recalls released for the past 60 days are usually accessible through the FDA’s page. By simply going to Recalls.gov, anybody is able to have access to a wide list of recalled products they can refer to.
Social media savvy consumers are able to learn about recalls — particularly if they are linked to dangerous and even deadly issues — by signing up to email alerts, among other alternatives. Podcasts and Twitter feeds provided by the FDA may also help you to stay on top of recall alerts. Whether you’re directly impacted by the recalls or not, staying alert may help to identify issues with drugs that you or a loved one may have been exposed to at some point. In the age of rapid, instantaneous information, keeping up with news regarding your own health and safety is easier than ever.
Don’t Forget About Food Recalls
Consumers who are concerned about the food products they consume regularly should refer to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recall list in order to learn more about the latest food recalls. The FDA is also responsible for running a flickr account where recalled food products are featured. Consumers who are involved with the Internet have a wide range of options when it comes to making sure they are on top of all product recalls.
For more tips on how to stay safe, follow this link.