Thought Leadership

When an issue is reported that may require a product recall, the onus is on manufacturers and producers to investigate and respond accordingly. Companies that have never been through the experience before may go into it with assumptions, while those that have one under their belts often become complacent. Either way, there are several expectations that may not meet the reality. Expectation: We’re unlikely to suffer a recall because of the safety protocols we have in place.

Halloween is just around the corner. For many, that means haunted houses, creepy costumes, and scary movies. But for business leaders, none of those is anywhere near as terrifying as a product recall. And it’s no wonder. If a recall is mismanaged, it can lead to brand damage, lost market share, and legal liability. Rather than turn away, it is best to take a look at some of the top recall horror stories – and how to escape them.

With about nine new product recalls announced every day in the U.S., ensuring consumers are able to keep up with them, identify the products in their own homes, and take action to protect themselves and their families is one of the greatest challenges stakeholders face. Now, in an effort to “help consumers more quickly and accurately recognize recalled product,” the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued

Yard sale. Garage sale. Rummage sale. Whatever you call it, as the weather warms up, many people will be buying and selling used goods from neighbors. Children’s goods are some of the top items, for good reason. Kids outgrow products quickly, and with the sheer number of items needed from infancy to pre-teen years, it is understandable that parents want to get some of their money back.

Imagine a world where there are a handful of recalls a year. Each one would be big news, even if it involved a relatively low hazard or small number of products. But that’s not the world we live in. In fact, there are more than 3,000 recalls every year in the U.S. alone – roughly nine per day. At that pace, it’s no wonder response rates are often very low. But just how low depends on many factors.