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 41 critical, 9 moderate, and 0 lower-severity recalls. The page references 17 distinct recalling firms operating in 7 distinct product categories, with 42 of 50 records disclosing affected-unit counts. Issuing-agency distribution on this slice leans toward FDA Food (38), NHTSA (7), CPSC (3), 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.

NHTSA No agency class Nov 4, 2020

LEXUS,TOYOTA 2017-2020: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

LEXUS,TOYOTA

NHTSA No agency class Nov 4, 2020

VOLVO 2001-2003: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

VOLVO

NHTSA No agency class Nov 4, 2020

BMW 2020-2021: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

BMW

USDA FSIS Moderate Nov 4, 2020

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Spaghetti and Meatballs in Marinara Sauce Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

Kwik Trip, Inc.

NHTSA No agency class Oct 30, 2020

MERCEDES-BENZ 2019-2021: SEATS

MERCEDES-BENZ

NHTSA No agency class Oct 30, 2020

MERCEDES-BENZ 2021: SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

MERCEDES-BENZ

CPSC No agency class Oct 29, 2020

Gorilla Commerce Recalls Oven Liners Due to Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (Recall Alert)

Keli New Materials Co. Ltd, of Zhejiang, China

CPSC No agency class Oct 29, 2020

Mueller Austria Recalls Onion Choppers Due to Serious Laceration Hazard

CPSC No agency class Oct 29, 2020

Serena & Lily Recalls Nash Convertible Cribs Due to Injury Hazard (Recall Alert)

NHTSA No agency class Oct 29, 2020

BUICK,CADILLAC,CHEVROLET,GMC 2018-2020: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

BUICK,CADILLAC,CHEVROLET,GMC

NHTSA No agency class Oct 29, 2020

BMW 2020-2021: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

BMW

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Pumpkin Pie Spice 1.8 oz. Jar UPC 8105701850 Case UPC 40081057018505

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Cayenne Red Pepper 1.8 oz. Jar UPC 8105701170 Case UPC 40081057011704

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Fennel Seeds 1.3 oz. Jar UPC 8105741363 Case UPC 40081057413630

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Moderate Oct 28, 2020

All Natural Chocolate Pecan ice cream, 2.5 gallons, UPC:7525200120. Packaged in a plastic container

Homestead Creamery, Inc.

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

Vox Spice, Allegro Coffee Company Organic White Wine Shallot Seasoning; Food Service 90 oz.PET jar; 4 jars per case UPC: 014321561362; Blend Formula Number 2431A9KV1, 50 lb. box.

High Quality Organics

FDA Food Moderate Oct 28, 2020

Trader Joe's Hatch Valley Salsa, 12 oz. jars packed into trays of 12 and shrink-wrapped, UPC: 0053 6806, Dist. & Sold Exclusively By: Trader Joe's, Monrovia, CA 91016

Desert Premium Group, LLC

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Black Pepper 1.7 oz. Jar UPC 8105701703 Case UPC 40081057017034, Fine Black Pepper 1.6 oz. Jar UPC 8105701706 Case UPC 40081057017065

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Moderate Oct 28, 2020

Marketside brand Cranberry Walnut Salad in 4.5 oz. plastic bowl with poly film lidding (6 bowls per case). UPC: 583243601

Taylor Farms Tennessee, Inc.

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

High Quality Organics Organic Meatball Seasoning 50 lbs. Formula number: 2509A9KV6 Item # 200479

High Quality Organics

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Seafood Grill & Broil 1.3 oz. Jar UPC 8105701935 Case UPC 40081057019359

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

Dried Parsley packaged in the following ways: 1) World Market, Organic Parsley NET WT. 0.3 OZ (8.5 g), Distributed by Cost Plus, Inc., Alameda, CA UPC 2533 3251; 2) Organics, Organic Parsley, NET WT. 0.3 OZ (8.5 g), Distributed by Lucerne Foods, Inc., Pleasanton, CA UPC 0 79893 41109 5 3) Clearly Organic Best Choice, Organic Parsley, NET WT. .3 OZ (8.5 g), Distributed by Associate Wholesale Grocers, Kansas City, KS, UPC 0 70038 64042 4; 4) Organic Great Value, Parsley Flakes, NET WT. 0.3 O

Red Monkey Foods Inc

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Arrowroot 2.1 oz. Jar UPC 8105701050 Case UPC 40081057010509

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Everything Bagel Crunch 2.3 oz. Jar UPC 8105701351 Case UPC 40081057013517

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter California Garlic 2.7 oz. Jar UPC 8105701400 Case UPC 40081057014002, Roasted Garlic 2.2 oz. Jar UPC 8105701402 Case UPC 40081057014026

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Green Hatch Chile 2.4 oz. Jar UPC 8105702256 Case UPC 40081057022564

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

Chocolate Ice Cream, 1 quart, UPC:87525200107. Packaged in paper quart container.

Homestead Creamery, Inc.

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

Herbes de Provence packaged in the following ways: 1) World Market, Organic Herbs De Provence, Net Wt. 0.6 OZ (17 g), Distributed by Cost Plus, Inc., Alameda, CA UPC 2533 3107; 2) Organics, Herbs De Provence, Net Wt. 0.65 OZ (18 g), Distributed by Lucerne Foods, Inc., Pleasanton, CA UPC 0 79893 41131 6 3) Organic Great Value, Herbs De Provence, Net Wt. 0.6 OZ (17 g), Distributed by Wal-Mart Stores, Bentonville, AR, UPC 0 78742 15451 0;

Red Monkey Foods Inc

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

Shipper boxes - sent to retail stores for display. Spices contained in the boxes are currently under recall. Thanksgiving shipper - item # 43149 Holiday Gourmet Shipper - Item # 43142 Shipper - Organic Holiday - Item # 43143

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Madagascar Cloves 1.9 oz. Jar UPC 8105701260 Case UPC 40081057012602

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

High Quality Organics Organic Parsley, Medium, Organic Parsley Fines 50 lbs. 25 lbs. 20 lbs. 0.25 lbs.

High Quality Organics

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Muntock White Pepper 2.1 oz. Jar UPC 8105701792 Case UPC 40081057017928

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Gourmet Sesame Seeds 2.4 oz. Jar UPC 8105701937 Case UPC 40081057019373

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Herbs De Provence 0.6 oz. Jar UPC 8105701440 Case UPC 40081057014408

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Coriander 1.4 oz. Jar UPC 8105701275 Case UPC 40081057012756

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Organic Parsley 0.23 oz. Jar UPC 8105701659 Case UPC 40081057016594

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Italian Seasoning 0.6 oz. Jar UPC 8105701450 Case UPC 40081057014507

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Moderate Oct 28, 2020

Frozen raw Lobster Tail pastry 100 count, sold in 15LB, 24LB, 40.25LB cases

Ariola Foods Corp.

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Malabar Black Peppercorns 2.1 oz. Jar UPC 8105701700 Case UPC 40081057017003

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Cilantro 0.3 oz. Jar UPC 8105701236 Case UPC 40081057012367

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Szechwan Seasoning 2.1 oz. Jar UPC 8105701955 Case UPC 40081057019557

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Freeze-Dried Chives 0.13 oz. Jar UPC 8105701230 Case UPC 40081057012305

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Dill Weed 0.5 oz. Jar UPC 8105701348 Case UPC 40081057013487

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Saigon Organic Cinnamon 1.7 oz. Jar UPC 8105701245 Case UPC 40081057012459

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Paprika 1.4 oz. Jar UPC 8105701653 Case UPC 40081057016532

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Chinese Ginger 1.6 oz. Jar UPC 8105701420 Case UPC 40081057014200

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

The Spice Hunter Mexican Seasoning 1.4 oz. Jar UPC 8105701541 Case UPC 40081057015412

Sauer Brands Inc - SLO

FDA Food Critical Oct 28, 2020

Shirakiku brand Black Fungus (Kikurage); 5 lb. bag, 6 x 5 lb. bags per case Item # 60403; UPC 0 74410 60403 5 Ingredients: Back Fungus, Contains: Sulfites Product of China Distributed by Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. Santa Fe Springs, CA, 90670

Wismettac Asian Foods, INC

FDA Food Moderate Oct 28, 2020

Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water; Sold under brand names of Bumble Bee and Kirkland Signature: Bumble Bee NET WT 8-7 oz. (198g) Total 56 oz. (3 lbs 8 oz) 1.59 kg); DR WT 8-5.2 oz. (144g_ total 40..8 oz (2 lb 9 oz) (1.15 kg); For Case UPC 86600-23061, the 8 Pack film UPC is 8660023061, can label UPC is 86600-23059 Kirkland Signature NET WT 8-7 oz. (198g) Total 56 oz. (3 lbs 8 oz) 1.59 kg); DR WT 8-5,4 oz (153g) Total 43.2 oz. (2.7 lbs.) (1.22 kg); For Case UPC 9661933523, the 8-

Bumble Bee Foods, LLC

FDA Drug Critical Oct 28, 2020

NP Thyroid 15,Thyroid Tablets, USP 1/4 grain (15 mg) 100-count bottles, Rx Only, Manufactured For: Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC Alpharetta, GA 30005, NDC 42192-327-01

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC

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.