Recall classes (I / II / III)
FDA assigns a recall classification to indicate the relative degree of health hazard presented by the product being recalled. On this site, that value appears in the classification field (for example “Class I”).
Class I
“a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Class II
“a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
Class III
“a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”
Status values
Each enforcement record includes a status field from openFDA food enforcement data. Common published values include:
- Ongoing — the published record still lists the recall as open / in progress.
- Completed or Terminated — the published record indicates the recall action has been closed in the dataset. A
termination_datemay also appear when provided.
Status on this site is shown exactly as stored from openFDA. It can still lag behind the latest agency updates.
Record fields
CheckMyFood displays fields from the openFDA Food Enforcement dataset. Product descriptions and recall reasons are shown verbatim from the source record—we do not rewrite them. Field names below match the openFDA reference.
| Field | What you are reading |
|---|---|
| classification | FDA health-hazard class for the recall (Class I, Class II, or Class III). |
| status | Whether the enforcement record is still open or has been closed in the published dataset (for example Ongoing, Completed, or Terminated). |
| product_description | Official description of the recalled product, as published in the enforcement record. |
| reason_for_recall | Official reason the product was recalled, shown exactly as published. |
| code_info | Lot, batch, UPC, or other identifying codes listed on the record. |
| more_code_info | Additional code or lot detail when the source record includes it. |
| distribution_pattern | Where the product was distributed, as stated in the enforcement record (states, regions, or nationwide). |
| product_quantity | Quantity of product involved, when provided by the source. |
| voluntary_mandated | Whether the recall was firm-initiated or FDA-mandated, per the published field. |
| recalling_firm | Name of the firm associated with the recall in the source record. |
| report_date | Date the enforcement report was published in the dataset. |
| recall_initiation_date | Date the firm initiated the recall, when present. |
| termination_date | Date the recall was terminated, when present on the record. |
| center_classification_date | Date related to FDA center classification activity, when present. |
| initial_firm_notification | How the firm first notified the public or trade, when listed (for example press release or letter). |
Recall number & event ID
recall_number — the published identifier for a specific enforcement product line in openFDA (often looks like F-####-YYYY or H-####-YYYY). CheckMyFood uses this as the unique key for each stored row when available.
event_id — an identifier for the broader recall event. One event can include more than one product line (and therefore more than one recall number).
How to check a product
This is a reading checklist only. It is not medical, legal, or safety advice. Always rely on the official record text and current agency notices.
- Find the brand on the directory or open Latest.
- Read
product_descriptionandcode_infoon the record and compare them to the package label (product name, lot, UPC). - Note
classificationandstatususing the definitions above. - Read
distribution_patternif you need to see where the record says the product was distributed. - For the authoritative dataset, use openFDA Food Enforcement or other official FDA recall channels.