Product recalls are far more common than most people realise. Every year, thousands of products are recalled due to manufacturing errors or defects. While many recalls are precautionary, some involve extremely serious, life-threatening issues. In the past week alone, more items have been added to a recall list for allegedly containing asbestos. Since January, 127 toys and play items for children have been recalled due to this highly toxic mineral, affecting several major brands.
This news is particularly concerning for parents and the general public, as asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999. Even its removal from buildings is a long and costly process due to the risks posed by dust and fibres. How can this happen in 2026? In this case, goods produced abroad, largely in China, have breached safety rules for items sold in the UK.
Trading Standards takes such matters very seriously and regularly issues warnings about non-compliant or dangerous products. However, most people simply want to know what to do when a product recall occurs. For this column, I have enlisted the help of television expert and legal professional Gary Rycroft to explore product recalls and your rights.
Why Do Products Get Recalled?
The UK has a comprehensive set of rules, regulations, and laws to ensure that items we buy are manufactured to safe standards. However, many goods are imported from countries where regulations may be less stringent. It is the responsibility of the brand and retailer to ensure that items sold in the UK meet these standards. Product recalls are expensive and can severely damage a business's reputation, so they are a significant event. Failure to recall potentially dangerous products can result in hefty fines or even prosecution. Most recalls relate to goods that might pose a risk rather than those where danger has been definitively proven. Recalls can be voluntary, where a business identifies a potential issue, or compulsory, where they are ordered to recall items.
What Happens When a Product Is Recalled?
When a brand announces a recall, it often affects only specific batches. The recall notice provides identification codes, product numbers, or timeframes when the goods were on sale. Once you confirm your purchase is part of the recall, follow the guidance on the notice. These notices appear on recall websites, Trading Standards and regulator sites, and other platforms. For groceries, the advice is usually to return the goods to the store for a refund. For larger items, manufacturers typically set up a process for repair or replacement, which may take time depending on the number of affected consumers.
What About Dangerous Products?
Some recalls involve issues that pose a real risk to purchasers. Examples include washing machines that could catch fire, cars with faulty braking systems, and food or drink containing glass fragments. Electrical items with serious faults must never be turned on or used. However, you might be left with a faulty dishwasher that cannot be used for months or years. If you made the purchase within the first six months, your shopping rights allow you to demand a refund if the repair or replacement is not carried out urgently. If many people are affected, this can be challenging. If you have consumed a potentially dangerous food or drink item or been exposed to something toxic, contact your doctor or a health service immediately. Keep copies of medical notes and referrals in case you decide to pursue compensation.
How Do I Find Out About Product Recalls?
Due to data protection and cash payments, businesses often struggle to identify who bought recalled products. Records may exist for high-value items like washing machines or sofas through manufacturer guarantees, but most recalls involve smaller items, so businesses rely on advertisements, website notices, and news stories. To find recalled products, start with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) website, which lists product recalls. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business and Trade, provides consumer guidance and a list of recent recalls. The Gov.uk product recalls website explains three types of recalls: specific products requiring action for a free replacement, repair, or refund; product safety reports for products where corrective measures other than a recall have been ordered; and product safety alerts highlighting categories with risks of serious injury or death. Other agencies, such as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for motor vehicles, also provide recall information.
Can I Claim Compensation?
You can claim compensation, but payouts are usually small. While a refund for a recalled product is automatic, compensation is not a legal right unless serious harm or measurable financial loss has occurred. For example, returning contaminated food might yield a small goodwill credit voucher. You can only seek compensation if you have been harmed or suffered financial loss due to the recall. This must reflect realistic costs. If your car is recalled and you need it for work, you can ask the manufacturer for a courtesy car until repairs are done, but this is not automatically offered. You may need to prove how essential the vehicle is. Alternatively, you might seek repair costs from the manufacturer if their recall process is slow.
For more tips on food product recalls, see Gary Rycroft's advice on the Morning Live website. Martyn James is a leading consumer rights campaigner, TV and radio broadcaster, and journalist. Gary Rycroft is the UK's top TV lawyer and columnist.
