How to Check for Cosmetic and Supplement Recalls
Quick Answer
Cosmetics and dietary supplements are two of the least understood product categories when it comes to recalls, partly because many consumers assume these products are rigorously screened before reaching store shelves. The regulatory picture is more complicated.
How Cosmetics Are Regulated
The FDA regulates cosmetics under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, but cosmetics do not require FDA approval before being sold. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe, and recalls happen when problems are identified after the fact.
Common reasons for cosmetic recalls:
- Microbial contamination (Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus)
- Undeclared allergens
- Presence of prohibited ingredients
- Foreign object contamination
- Mislabelling
Recalls in this category include makeup, skincare products, sunscreens, shampoos, and hair dyes.
How Dietary Supplements Are Regulated
Dietary supplements occupy a specific regulatory space. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, supplement manufacturers do not need to demonstrate safety or effectiveness to the FDA before selling their products. The FDA can only take action after a product is already on the market.
This means recalls happen in response to problems identified through adverse event reports, inspections, or testing, sometimes long after the product has been widely sold.
Common reasons for supplement recalls:
- Undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients (weight loss and sexual enhancement supplements most commonly)
- Contamination (heavy metals, microbes)
- Manufacturing defects that cause incorrect dosing
- Presence of banned substances
How to Check for Recalls
FDA Recalls database: fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
Search by product name, brand, or category. Recall notices include the lot numbers and date codes of affected products.
MedWatch (FDA safety alerts): fda.gov/safety/medwatch
Subscribe for email alerts covering adverse events and safety communications for supplements and medical products.
ConsumerLab.com: An independent testing organisation that evaluates supplement quality. Not a government source, but useful for identifying quality issues separate from formal recalls.
What to Look For on Product Labels
Recall notices for supplements and cosmetics list specific affected lots. To check whether your product is affected:
- Find the lot number or batch code on the packaging (usually printed on the bottom or back)
- Find the manufacturing or expiration date
- Compare these to the identifiers listed in the recall notice
What to Do with a Recalled Product
Stop using it. Do not give it to someone else. For supplements with undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients, contact your doctor if you have been taking the product, particularly if you have any underlying health conditions or take prescription medications.
Return the product to the place of purchase for a refund, or contact the manufacturer using the information in the recall notice.