Recalls are actions taken by a firm to remove a product from the market. Recalls may be conducted on a firm's own initiative, by
FDA request, or by FDA order under statutory authority.
Class I recall: a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product wil
cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
Class II recall: a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically
reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
Class III recall: a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health
consequences.
Market withdrawal: occurs when a product has a minor violation that would not be subject to FDA legal action. The firm
removes the product from the market or corrects the violation. For example, a product removed from the market due to
tampering, without evidence of manufacturing or distribution problems, would be a market withdrawal.
Medical device safety alert: issued in situations where a medical device may present an unreasonable risk of
substantial harm. In some case, these situations also are considered recalls.