PlainRecalls

CPSC, Innova Inc. Announce Recall to Replace Exploding Frying Pans

Reported: January 14, 2003 Initiated: January 14, 2003 #03069 About 8,700 units

Innova Inc., of Davenport, Iowa issued this CPSC recall on January 14, 2003. Classified as Moderate severity. Approximately About 8,700 units are affected. The recall was issued because: The pans can explode or separate when preheated, used on high heat, or used for frying, which can pose a serious burn h…. This recall notice is sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #03069) was formally reported on January 14, 2003. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Innova Inc., of Davenport, Iowa is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records indicate About 8,700 units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: The pans can explode or separate when preheated, used on high heat, or used for frying, which can pose a serious burn hazard from hot oil or food contents spilling onto consumers. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should stop using the frying pans immediately and discard or destroy the product. The firm is no longer in business, and a remedy is no longer available. — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 23 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.

Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity1Class I (Critical)Class II (Moderate)Class III (Low)
Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity

Moderate

Units Affected

About 8,700

Related Recalls

6

0 from same agency

Product Description

The pans were manufactured in China and include an 8-inch omelet pan with stick handle and lid, an 8-inch fry pan with stick handle and no lid, a 9 1/2-inch fry pan with buffet handles and lid, and an 11 1/2-inch deep chicken fryer with stick handle and helper handle and lid. The outside of the pan is stainless steel and the inner surface has a black, non-stick coating. The pans have "DESIGNED IN THE USA, GOURMET QUALITY, ULTREX DOUBLE WALL, STAINLESS STEEL, INNOVA INC., DAVENPORT IA" engraved on the bottom.

Reason for Recall

The pans can explode or separate when preheated, used on high heat, or used for frying, which can pose a serious burn hazard from hot oil or food contents spilling onto consumers.

Remedy

Consumers should stop using the frying pans immediately and discard or destroy the product. The firm is no longer in business, and a remedy is no longer available.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 03069
Date reported January 14, 2003
Date initiated January 14, 2003
Recalling firm Innova Inc., of Davenport, Iowa
Units affected About 8,700
Distribution Not disclosed

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Scale of Impact

About 8,700 units affected — limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) ✓ This recall
Multi-state (10K – 100K units)
Large-scale (100K – 1M units)
Massive (≥1M units)

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
The pans were manufactured in China and include an 8-inch omelet pan with stick handle and lid, an 8-inch fry pan with stick handle and no lid, a 9 1/2-inch fry pan with buffet handles and lid, and an 11 1/2-inch deep chicken fryer with stick handle and helper handle and lid. The outside of the pan is stainless steel and the inner surface has a black, non-stick coating. The pans have "DESIGNED IN THE USA, GOURMET QUALITY, ULTREX DOUBLE WALL, STAINLESS STEEL, INNOVA INC., DAVENPORT IA" engraved on the bottom.. Recalled by Innova Inc., of Davenport, Iowa. Units affected: About 8,700.
Why was this product recalled?
The pans can explode or separate when preheated, used on high heat, or used for frying, which can pose a serious burn hazard from hot oil or food contents spilling onto consumers.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should stop using the frying pans immediately and discard or destroy the product. The firm is no longer in business, and a remedy is no longer available.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on January 14, 2003. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 03069.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (03069) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

Recall Context

Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.

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Data Sources

Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
  • Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

All federal data sources used on this page

Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).