PlainRecalls

2020 Recall Year Insight

Federal agencies issued 6,048 product recalls indexed by PlainRecalls in calendar year 2020. That represents about 5.79% of the 104,423 total recalls we track from 1995 through the present, and averages roughly 16.6 recalls per day across the FDA, CPSC, USDA FSIS, and NHTSA combined. Year-level views are the cleanest way to see macro patterns: volume spikes often correlate with new regulatory priorities (e.g., infant-sleep products after 2021, lithium-ion batteries after 2022), supply-chain contamination events, or changes in agency enforcement intensity, while quiet years can reflect either genuine product-safety improvements or reduced agency staffing and reporting lag. With 121 pages at 50 recalls each, browsing this year end-to-end gives a statistically representative sample of what the federal recall pipeline looked like in 2020.

On this page of 50 records, severity classification shows 13 critical, 35 moderate, and 2 lower-severity recalls. The page references 34 distinct recalling firms operating in 8 distinct product categories, with 39 of 50 records disclosing affected-unit counts. Issuing-agency distribution on this slice leans toward FDA Devices (27), NHTSA (10), CPSC (8), which matters because each agency's recall authority, hazard framing, and remedy mechanism differ, an FDA food recall, a CPSC consumer-product recall, and a NHTSA vehicle recall are legally distinct instruments even when the underlying hazard language sounds similar. Reviewing the dominant agency for a given year is one of the fastest ways to understand where federal attention was concentrated.

Year-indexed browsing serves three practical purposes: historical research (tracking how a hazard class evolved over time), consumer action (finding whether a product purchased in 2020 was later recalled), and journalistic or regulatory context (understanding what the enforcement landscape looked like in a given period). Every record on this page links to a full detail view with the hazard, remedy, distribution, and agency-assigned recall number, always use that recall number to verify current status directly with the issuing agency before acting on time-sensitive remedies, because agencies amend, terminate, and expand recalls in the months and years after initial publication. Data on this page reflects federal agency public filings; the agency's live record remains authoritative for legal, medical, or safety decisions. Verify with FDA openFDA, CPSC, USDA FSIS, or NHTSA for the system-of-record on any specific recall. PlainRecalls indexes this archive for research and consumer awareness purposes.

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

VNS Therapy¿ AspireSR¿ Generator

LivaNova USA Inc

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

CEI Cutting Edge Instruments (PTC-57C)

Coltene Whaledent Inc

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Osteosynthesis Compression Staple EasyClip

Stryker GmbH

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

FG 57 100057X (100057X)

Coltene Whaledent Inc

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Class IV New Era medical laser device

Inova Lasers LLC

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Catalog 314-13-23, Equinoxe Cage Glenoid, Posterior Augment, Left, Medium

Exactech, Inc.

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Alpen Clinic 100 Carbide Instruments (R100057C)

Coltene Whaledent Inc

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

v|tome|x L Series non-destructive testing cabinet x-ray systems

Ge Inspection Technologies Llc

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Kangaroo Connect 1000ml Bag Set, Non-Sterile, Product Code 77100FD - Product Usage: single-use tubing sets used with pumps in the delivery of nutritional feeding product.

Cardinal Health 200, LLC

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

VITROS¿ Immunodiagnostic Products Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Control - Product Usage: For use in monitoring the performance of the VITROS Immunodiagnostic and Integrated Systems when used for the determination of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Product Code (Unique Identifier): 6199921 (10758750033355)

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

MeritMedical Cultura Flex Swab, Sterile Flocked Collection Device, Ref C100F, Sterile, for the following unit count:1 unit - (01)00884450491102, 25 unit - (01)10884450491109, 100 unit - (01)20884450491106

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Merit Medical Cultura Collection and Transport System, Ref CFTS100, Single Use, IVD, for the following unit counts: 1 Unit - (01)00884450492123, 50 Units - (01)10884450492120, 200 units - (01)20884450492127

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Clinic Pack 100 Pieces FG 57 100057C (100057C)

Coltene Whaledent Inc

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Kangaroo Connect 500ml Bag Set, Non-Sterile, Product Code 77500FD - Product Usage: single-use tubing sets used with pumps in the delivery of nutritional feeding product.

Cardinal Health 200, LLC

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

VITROS Immunodiagnostic Products-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Calibrator - Product Usage: In-Vitro Diagnostic (EUA) an aid in identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection. Emergency use of this test is limited to authorized laboratories-- Product Code (Unique Identifier): 6199920 (10758750033362)

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

COAPTITE Injectable Implant, injectable, sterile, non-pyrogenic implant composed of spherical particles (75-125 microns in diameter of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), suspended in aqueous based gel carrier. Gel carrier is composed of sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sterile water for injection, and glycerin. Product is packaged in a 1.0cc syringe and packed in a sterile pouch.

Merz North America, Inc.

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Merit Medical Cultura Collection and Transport System, 3 mL Viral Transport Medium, Ref: VCTS100, Single Use, IVD, for the following unit counts: 1 Unit - (01)00884450499917, 50 Units - (01)10884450499914, 200 units - (01)20884450499911

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Wuxi Nest, model numbers 202115, 202117, 202017, 202018 - Product Usage: Patient specimen collection.

Thomas Scientific

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

cobas infinity central lab/cobas infinity core license-The cobas infinity IT solutions application is intended to be used for the configuration and connectivity management of instruments and software systems Catalog Number: 07154003001

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Catalog 314-13-33, Equinoxe Cage Glenoid, Posterior Augment, Right, Medium

Exactech, Inc.

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Atellica IM 1300 Analyzer - Product Usage: automated, immunoassay analyzers designed to perform in vitro diagnostic tests on clinical specimens. Siemens Material Number (SMN): 11066001

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc.

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Artis zee floor, Artis Q ceiling, Artis Q.zen ceiling. Image-Intensified Fluoroscopic X-Ray System. Material numbers 10848281, 10848354, 10094135, 10848354 - Product Usage: Artis is a family of dedicated angiography systems developed for single and biplane diagnostic imaging and interventional procedures including, but not limited to, pediatric and obese patients.

Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc

FDA Devices Low Nov 25, 2020

VITROS Chemistry Products Performance Verifier II-For in vitro diagnostic use only.VITROS Chemistry Products Performance Verifier is an assayed control used to monitor performance on VITROS 250/350/5,1 FS/4600/XT 3400 Chemistry Systems and the VITROS 5600/XT 7600 Integrated System - Product Code: 8231474

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Atellica IM 1600 Analyzer - Product Usage: automated, immunoassay analyzers designed to perform in vitro diagnostic tests on clinical specimens. Siemens Material Number (SMN): 11066000

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc.

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

MEDICREA LIGAPASS TENSION PULLEY HANDLE XS- intended to provide thoracic and/or lumbar posterior stabilization for degenerative pathologies Ref : A08200200

Medicrea International

FDA Devices Low Nov 25, 2020

Olympus Leak Test Adapter used with Acu-sInQ Complete Endoscope Cleaning Aid Systems-intended to assist manual flexible endoscope cleaning Part number: 0600818OKN

Steris Corporation

FDA Devices Moderate Nov 25, 2020

Strauss 25 Carbide Dental Burs (100057XXV)

Coltene Whaledent Inc

CPSC No agency class Nov 25, 2020

Eco Baby Spoons and Forks, Eco Feeding Spoons, and Eco Placemat Feeding Sets Recalled Due to Choking Hazard; Made by Herobility

Herobility AB, of Sweden

CPSC No agency class Nov 25, 2020

Lidl US Recalls Powerfix Steel Shelving Units Due To Tip-Over and Entrapment Hazards

CPSC No agency class Nov 25, 2020

RH Recalls Wine Barrel Chandeliers Due to Injury Hazard

CPSC No agency class Nov 25, 2020

Santa Cruz Bicycles Recalls Bicycles with Aluminum Frames Due to Fall Risk

CPSC No agency class Nov 25, 2020

Towsleys Recalls 3-in-1 Qi Wireless Chargers, Power Banks and Travel Chargers Due to Fire Hazard

Shenzhen Huani Electronics Co. Ltd., of China

NHTSA No agency class Nov 25, 2020

PETERBILT 2020: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

PETERBILT

NHTSA No agency class Nov 25, 2020

AUDI 2020-2021: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

AUDI

NHTSA No agency class Nov 25, 2020

CHEVROLET,GMC 2015-2016: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

CHEVROLET,GMC

NHTSA No agency class Nov 25, 2020

CHEVROLET,GMC 2021: SEATS

CHEVROLET,GMC

NHTSA No agency class Nov 25, 2020

TOYOTA 2020-2021: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TOYOTA

CPSC No agency class Nov 24, 2020

Any Volume Recalls Bicycle Helmets Due to Risk of Head Injury; Sold Exclusively on ebay.com (Recall Alert)

Dongguan Rikcon Sports Technology Co., Ltd and Dongguan Wencan Sporting Goods Co., Ltd., of China

CPSC No agency class Nov 24, 2020

Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers Recalled by Sunbeam Products Due to Burn Hazard

Sunbeam Products, Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla.

NHTSA No agency class Nov 24, 2020

FORD 2020: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

FORD

NHTSA No agency class Nov 24, 2020

MERCEDES-BENZ 2019-2020: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

MERCEDES-BENZ

USDA FSIS Moderate Nov 21, 2020

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Chicken and Beef Samosa Products Containing Pastry Ingredients That Have Been Recalled Due to Misbranding

NHTSA No agency class Nov 20, 2020

LINCOLN 2021: STEERING

LINCOLN

NHTSA No agency class Nov 20, 2020

HONDA 2021: TIRES

HONDA

NHTSA No agency class Nov 20, 2020

VOLKSWAGEN 2018: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

VOLKSWAGEN

CPSC No agency class Nov 19, 2020

Polaris Recalls RZR Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles Due to Injury Hazard (Recall Alert)

Polaris Inc., of Medina, Minn.

FDA Food Critical Nov 18, 2020

IncredibleStoneCrab, Mustard Sauce, 8 oz. plastic container, Distributed by: IncredibleStoneCrab,

Incredible Fish

FDA Food Moderate Nov 18, 2020

Elderberry Whole Organic; Sambucus Nigra; Origin: Croatia 1 lb. and 4 oz. Distributed in Mylar bags. 1 lb. UPC: 7 67963 07315 0; Item # 209290-01 4 oz. UPC 7 67963-10561-5; Item # 209290-04 Daily serving size; Pour 8-12 oz. of boiling water (212 degrees F) over 1 tsp of tea. Steep 3-4 minutes. Starwest Botanicals,Inc. 161 Main Street, Sacramento, CA 95838 Certified Organic

Starwest Botanicals, Inc

FDA Food Critical Nov 18, 2020

FRESH FROM MEIJER FRUIT PALOOZA, 22oz Clear plastic container, UPC 220450514739

Meijer Inc./Traffic Dept.

FDA Food Critical Nov 18, 2020

TROPIQUE ASSORTED FRUIT JELLY BAG 30/9PCS/10.06oz and TROPIQUE JELLY ANIMAL JAR 6/26OZ

COMERCIAL MEXICANA

Nearby Recall Years

Browse recalls from adjacent calendar years to see how federal enforcement volume has shifted over time.

Compare 2020 with 2019 →

Data Sources

  • Source: FDA openFDA Enforcement API - calendar-year recall filings for food, drugs, and devices
  • Source: USDA FSIS Recalls - calendar-year meat, poultry, and processed egg product recall filings
  • Source: CPSC + NHTSA - consumer product and vehicle recall feeds for 2020

Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC, USDA FSIS and NHTSA recall records; no number is typed in by an editor. Figures cover calendar year 2020 across the FDA, CPSC, USDA FSIS and NHTSA federal recall feeds. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of September 2026.