How to Check Whether a Recall Applies to the Exact Item in Your Pantry

A person in a white shirt and black tie holds up a product recall sign. When you see a new food recall on the evening news, it is tempting to just throw out everything in your kitchen. To avoid wasting good food and money, always check the exact lot codes, UPC barcodes, and expiration dates on your packaging. Your pantry items are completely safe to eat unless those specific numbers match the official recall notice perfectly. Shutterstock.

Hearing about a sudden food recall can trigger instant panic for health-conscious parents. You might immediately want to empty your entire pantry directly into the kitchen trash can. However, throwing away perfectly safe food out of fear ruins your weekly household budget. Recalls are always highly specific to a single manufacturer, facility, and production run. Learning how to verify your pantry items saves you money and keeps your family safe.

Locating the Exact Brand Name