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 33 critical, 16 moderate, and 1 lower-severity recalls. The page references 28 distinct recalling firms operating in 8 distinct product categories, with 35 of 50 records disclosing affected-unit counts. Issuing-agency distribution on this slice leans toward FDA Food (25), NHTSA (15), CPSC (6), 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 Sep 2, 2020

Cobra x5 2-Ch EMG ET Tube, 8.0mm, REF: LTE700DCL-5, Rx Only, Sterile EO UDI: B006LTE700DCL52 - Product Usage: For continuous EMG monitoring and status assessment of the nerves supplying the laryngeal musculature as well as providing an open airway for patient ventilation during surgical or parasurgical care using any compatible nerve monitoring system.

Neurovision Medical Products Inc

FDA Devices Moderate Sep 2, 2020

ALTERA Spacer ALTERA Spacer, 10x26, 8-12mm, 8¿

Globus Medical, Inc.

FDA Devices Moderate Sep 2, 2020

ALTERA Spacer ALTERA Spacer, 10x26, 12-16mm, 15¿

Globus Medical, Inc.

CPSC No agency class Sep 2, 2020

Advantus Recalls Fluorescent Computer Task Lamps Due to Burn Hazard

CPSC No agency class Sep 2, 2020

Hanamint Recalls Swivel Rockers, Club Swivel Rockers and Club Swivel Gliders Due to Fall Hazard

CPSC No agency class Sep 2, 2020

IMMI Recalls Harnesses Made for Polaris, Can-Am, and Kawasaki UTVs Due to Injury Hazard

Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc., of Westfield, Ind.

NHTSA No agency class Sep 2, 2020

VOLVO 2020-2021: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

VOLVO

NHTSA No agency class Sep 2, 2020

VOLVO 2021: STEERING

VOLVO

NHTSA No agency class Sep 2, 2020

VOLKSWAGEN 2020: AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION

VOLKSWAGEN

NHTSA No agency class Sep 1, 2020

BMW 2020-2021: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

BMW

NHTSA No agency class Sep 1, 2020

FREIGHTLINER 2020-2021: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FREIGHTLINER

USDA FSIS Critical Aug 31, 2020

Ukrop's Homestyle Foods Recalls Chicken Salad Product Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

Ukrop's Homestyle Foods

CPSC No agency class Aug 27, 2020

Amazon Recalls Calmer Solutions Wintergreen Essential Oil Due to Failure to Meet Child Resistant Packaging Requirement; Risk of Poisoning (Recall Alert)

Calmer Solutions, of United Kingdom

CPSC No agency class Aug 27, 2020

Amazon Recalls Mystic Moments Birch Sweet Essential Oil Due to Failure to Meet Child Resistant Packaging Requirement; Risk of Poisoning (Recall Alert)

Mystic Moments UK, of United Kingdom

CPSC No agency class Aug 27, 2020

CPSC and Morpher Warn Consumers to Stop Using and Dispose of Bicycle Helmets Due to Risk of Head Injury; Recalling Firm is Unable to Conduct Recall (Recall Alert)

Strategic Sports Limited, of Hong Kong

NHTSA No agency class Aug 27, 2020

HYUNDAI 2013-2015: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

HYUNDAI

NHTSA No agency class Aug 27, 2020

KIA 2013-2015: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

KIA

NHTSA No agency class Aug 27, 2020

KIA 2018-2021: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

KIA

NHTSA No agency class Aug 27, 2020

LAND ROVER 2020: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

LAND ROVER

NHTSA No agency class Aug 27, 2020

BMW,TOYOTA 2019-2020: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

BMW,TOYOTA

NHTSA No agency class Aug 27, 2020

CHEVROLET 2014: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

CHEVROLET

NHTSA No agency class Aug 27, 2020

BMW 2021: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

BMW

NHTSA No agency class Aug 27, 2020

RAM 2019-2020: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

RAM

NHTSA No agency class Aug 27, 2020

DODGE 2018-2020: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

DODGE

NHTSA No agency class Aug 27, 2020

RAM 2019-2020: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

RAM

FDA Food Moderate Aug 26, 2020

Gluten-Free Organic Mesa Sunrise Cereal USA, Nature's Path brand. Shop Order # 127895. Product is Ready to eat breakfast cereal and shelf stable. Packaged in poly film bag. Each bag has a net Wt. 26.4 oz., each case has 6 bags. Case UPC: 0 58449 77901 8. The label is read in parts: "***Gluten-Free***MESA SUNRISE REAL Crunchy Cereal *** CORN, FLAX, BUCKWHEAT, QUINOA & AMARANTH *** INGREDIENTS: Corn meal and/or yellow corn flour, cane sugar, flax seeds, buckwheat flour, quinoa, amaranth, se

Natures Path Foods USA, Inc.

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

HAVEN'S KITCHEN***GOLDEN TURMERIC TAHINI***NET WT 5oz (142g)***Ingredients: Water, Tahini, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Roasted Garlic, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Date Paste, Sea Salt, Turmeric, Cumin, Ground Sumac (Sumac, Salt), White Pepper***

Haven'S Kitchen

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

Earth Grown brand Vanilla Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert in pint sized paperboard carton with a paperboard lid.

Smith Foods Inc.

FDA Food Low Aug 26, 2020

My Nana's Thick & Crunchy Tortilla Chips, 12 oz. (340g) paper bag (12 bags per case), UPC 0-34392-10161-8.

La Canasta Mexican Food Products, Inc.

FDA Food Moderate Aug 26, 2020

Salmon, Burger Atlantic Blue Cheese Net Weight 12 oz (340g) UPC 23725500000; HEB Meal Simple Blue Cheese Salmon Burger NET WT 12 oz. (340g) UPC 23757500000; HEB Meal Simple Blue Cheese Wild Salmon Burgers NET WT 12oz (340g) UPC 23759000000; Salmon, Burger Atlantic Blue Cheese Net Weight 6 oz (170g) UPC 22528700000; HEB Meal Simple Salmon, Burger Wild Blue Cheese NET WT. 6 oz (170g) UPC 23711100000; Salmon, Burger Wild Blue Cheese Net Weight 6 oz (170g) UPC 23731100000 all packaged in either S

He Butt

FDA Food Moderate Aug 26, 2020

"Wegmans***Food you Feel Good About*** Fruit on the Bottom***LOWFAT YOGURT*** PINEAPPLE ***6oz(170g)"

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

MURRAY'S CHADS SMOKED GOUDA DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

DELI RANCH CHEESE SPREAD KIT in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

MURRAY'S JALEPENO JARLSBERG DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

DELI JARLSBERG DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

DELI SOUTHWEST CHEESE SPREAD KIT in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

DELI JARLSBERG JALAPENO DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

LCCV PIMENTO CHEESE DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

JARLSBERG DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

Earth Grown brand Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert in pint sized paperboard carton with a paperboard lid.

Smith Foods Inc.

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

DELI BUFFALO BLUE CHEESE SPREAD KIT in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

MURRAY'S BACON CHIVE JARLSBERG DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Moderate Aug 26, 2020

Price Chopper, Southwest Tex-Mex Trail Mix, 12 oz. re-closeable bag, 6 packages per case

United Natural Trading Inc. dba Woodstock Farms

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

DELI SOUTHWESTERN JARLSBERG DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Moderate Aug 26, 2020

HIGH LINER FOODSERVICE***Genuine Maryland-Style Premium Crab Cakes***48-3 oz***KEEP FROZEN***10004302***PRODUCT OF CHINA***DISTRIBUTED BY: HIGH LINER FOODS< PORTSMOUTH, NY 03801; packaged in 9 lb bulk food service cases

High Liner Foods Inc.

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

AFIN JARLSBERG CHEESE SPREAD KIT in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

DELI APPLEWOOD CHEDDAR DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

MURRAY'S SOUTHWESTERN JARLSBERG DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Critical Aug 26, 2020

DELI JARLSBERG CHEESE DIP in plastic tubs, all sizes.

The Kroger Co

FDA Food Moderate Aug 26, 2020

Lund's and Byerly's Sea Salt Caramels, Net wt 16 oz (454 g), UPC 72431-00489

Abdallah Candies

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.