Description
This guidance document is intended to provide guidance and recommendations to FDA-regulated industry regarding what information firms should give to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and how they should notify their customers about product recalls. This guidance is intended to assist those members of industry regulated by the FDA in handling most aspects of a product recall, as well as some removals and corrections which do not meet the definition of a recall under 21 CFR 7.3. The guidance includes a checklist of documentation and information that industry can provide to the FDA that will be used by FDA to evaluate, classify, monitor and audit product recalls. Various statutory provisions and regulations, described below, authorize the FDA to require recalls of certain products in particular circumstances. Additionally, subpart C of part 7 of FDA regulations (21 CFR 7.40-59) provides general guidance for the voluntary recall of products, including those recalls initiated by a firm on its own and at the FDA's request. This guidance provides more specific recommendations and applies to voluntary and, to the extent that the guidance does not conflict with statute or regulation, mandatory recalls of all FDA-regulated products (i.e., food, including animal food; drugs, including animal drugs; medical and radiological devices and products; cosmetics; tobacco products; and biological products.)
Scope & Applicability
Product Classes
6subject to 21 CFR parts 106 and 107
Subject to specific recall requirements under 21 U.S.C. 350a
Subject to mandatory recall provisions
development program for drug and biological products
FDA intends to assess device cybersecurity based on a number of factors; demonstrate or maintain its safety and effectiveness; ensuring cybersecurity has become essential to FDA’s ability to protect the public health; Cyber-resiliency capabilities for medical devices
Additional recommended information for Electronic Product notifications
Stakeholders
6FDA contact for recalling firms
Specific individual identified for recall communications
The party receiving the imported goods, responsible for submitting evidence.
Responsible for initiating sub-recalls
The entity responsible for conducting the recall
Entity responsible for submitting NDINs
Regulatory Context
Attributes
2should be based on appropriate supportive stability data
Potential impact of a recall on consumers
Identified Hazards
Hazards
4Assessment of the health hazard associated with the violation
Relative degree of danger presented by the product
Presence of cleaning fluid, machine oil, or paint vapors
Adulteration link that triggers DWPE.
Related CFR Sections (6)
- 21CFR10.115§ 10.115 Good guidance practices.
(a) What are good guidance practices? Good guidance practices (GGP's) are FDA's policies and procedures for developing, issuing, and using guidance documents.Read full regulation →
- 21CFR7.55§ 7.55 Termination of a recall.
(a) A recall will be terminated when the Food and Drug Administration determines that all reasonable efforts have been made to remove or correct the product in accordance with the recall strategy, and when it is reasonable to assume that the product subject to the recall has been removed and proper Read full regulation →
- 21CFR7.3§ 7.3 Definitions.
(a) Agency means the Food and Drug Administration.Read full regulation →
- 21CFR7.40§ 7.40 Recall policy.
(a) Recall is an effective method of removing or correcting consumer products that are in violation of laws administered by the Food and Drug Administration. Recall is a voluntary action that takes place because manufacturers and distributors carry out their responsibility to protect the public healRead full regulation →
- 21CFR211.196§ 211.196 Distribution records.
Distribution records shall contain the name and strength of the product and description of the dosage form, name and address of the consignee, date and quantity shipped, and lot or control number of the drug product.Read full regulation →
- 21CFR117.139§ 117.139 Recall plan.
For food with a hazard requiring a preventive control:Read full regulation →
Related Warning Letters (10)
- 2025-12-16
CGMP/Deviations/Biologics License Application (BLA)
Microvascular Tissue, Inc.
- 2025-12-16
Deviations/CFR/Regulations for Human Cells, Tissues & Cellular Products (HCT/Ps)
Green Valley Fertility Partners
- 2025-12-09
Unapproved New Drug/Unlicensed Biological Product/Biologics License Application (BLA)
BioXtek LLC
- 2025-12-09
Unapproved New Drug/Unlicensed Biological Product/Biologics License Application (BLA)
Celularity, Inc
- 2025-12-09
Unapproved New Drug/Unlicensed Biological Product/Biologics License Application (BLA)
Lux Therapeutics LLC dba Ponya Therapeutics LLC
- 2025-10-07
CGMP/Deviations/Biologics License Application (BLA)
New Life Medical Services, LLC
- 2025-09-16
Deviations/CFR/Regulations for Human Cells, Tissues & Cellular Products (HCT/Ps)
NuVida Medical LLC
- 2025-08-26
Deviations/CFR/Regulations for Human Cells, Tissues & Cellular Products (HCT/Ps)
Platinum Biologics LLC
- 2025-08-26
Deviations/CFR/Regulations for Human Cells, Tissues & Cellular Products (HCT/Ps)
Innate Healthcare Institute
- 2025-08-05
CGMP/QSR/Medical Devices/Adulterated/Misbranded
Visgeneer, Inc
See Also (8)
- An Acceptable Circular of Information for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Components: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- FDA Review of Vaccine Labeling Requirements for Warnings, Use Instructions, and Precautionary Information: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- Recognition and Use of a Standard for Uniform Blood and Blood Component Container Labels: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- Implementation of Acceptable Full-Length and Abbreviated Donor History Questionnaires and Accompanying Materials for Use in Screening Donors of Source Plasma: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- Implementation of Acceptable Full-Length and Abbreviated Donor History Questionnaires and Accompanying Materials for Use in Screening Donors of Blood and Blood Components: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- Regulation of Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products (HCT/Ps) - Small Entity Compliance Guide: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- Compliance Policy Guide CPG Sec. 110.650 Weekly Entry Filing Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff (Status: Final)
- CPG Sec. 280.100 - Stability Requirements - Licensed In Vitro Diagnostic Products (Status: Final)