Is it recalled? Scan the barcode
Point your phone at the barcode on a package — or type its numbers — to see whether an official U.S. recall notice lists that product.
Private by design: the camera image is processed only in your browser and is never uploaded. Only the barcode number is sent to look it up, like any search on this site, and you don’t need an account.
How the check works
FDA, USDA and CPSC recall notices often print the UPC, EAN or GTIN of the affected packages. We read those codes out of every notice we hold, check each one’s check digit, and match the barcode you scan against them. A code that appears in full is a match; a notice that prints only part of a code is shown as a possible match.
What it can’t tell you
Not every recall notice includes a barcode — many identify products only by name, size, lot number or “best by” date — so a product can be recalled even when this check finds nothing. And a match usually means the same product, not necessarily your exact package: check the lot and date codes in the notice. For the full picture, also search recalls by brand or product, and see FoodSafety.gov and CPSC.gov.
Where to find the barcode
- Food and drinks: on the back or bottom of the package, usually 12 digits (UPC) in the U.S. or 13 (EAN) on imports.
- Medicine: on the outer box, near the drug facts label.
- Household products: on the box or a sticker on the item. Keep the box if you can — the model and lot numbers are there too.
If your product is recalled
- Stop using or eating it, and keep it away from children and pets.
- Compare the lot and date codes with the notice to confirm.
- Follow the notice’s remedy: most offer a refund at the store or from the company, a replacement, or a repair.
Checking a car instead? Use the VIN recall check.
Barcode recall check: common questions
How do I check if a product is recalled by its barcode?
Tap “Scan a barcode” and point your phone’s camera at the UPC on the package, or type the numbers printed under the bars. We look the code up in the UPCs printed in official FDA, USDA and CPSC recall notices and link any notice that lists it.
If there is no match, does that mean the product is not recalled?
Not necessarily. Many recall notices identify products by name, size, lot code or date instead of a barcode, and some list only part of the code. “No match in our data” means no notice we hold prints that barcode — not that the product is recall-free. Search by brand or product name as well, and check FoodSafety.gov for food or CPSC.gov for other products.
A notice lists my barcode. Is my package recalled?
Probably the same product, but often only certain lots, “best by” dates or production codes are affected. Open the notice and compare those with your package. If it matches, stop using it and follow the notice: usually return it for a refund or throw it away.
What does “possible match” mean?
Some notices print a shortened code, such as the 10 middle digits without the first and last digit. When only those middle digits match, we show the notice as a possible match: compare the product name and size before acting on it.
Does this work for cars, medicine or baby products?
It covers food, drugs, medical devices, pet food and consumer products whose recall notices print a UPC, EAN or GTIN. Cars don’t have barcodes — use our VIN recall check instead.
Do you see or store my camera images?
No. The camera is read and decoded entirely inside your browser; no image or video is uploaded. Only the barcode number is sent to our server to look it up, like any search on the site, and we never ask who you are.