Recall Roundup: 2015's Biggest Product Problems
Every day products are pulled off the shelves because some danger has been discovered. Very often companies recall products out of an abundance of caution. Once a company is aware of a product defect, it must act quickly to minimize consumer risk of injury, even if that risk seems minimal.
2015 was no different than other years and there were numerous food and car recalls. Consumers found everything from glass shards in their iced tea to metal scraps in their boxed macaroni and cheese. Let's look at the top 5 product recalls of the year gone by.
Top 5 Recalls of 2015
The "biggest" recalls are based on number of product units a company took off the market. This list was compiled by Find The Company based on figures from CNBC recall reporting through December 3, 2015. It was reported on WRAL radio.
- Takata Airbags: In August this auto airbag manufacturer began recalling millions of defective products. Taken all together, the Takata Airbags defect forced a recall of 34 million airbags, by far the largest recall event of 2015.
- Volkswagen Emissions: News that Volkswagen was cheating on emissions tests scandalized drivers worldwide and was a big blow to the maker of the once-beloved VW Bug. Although the environmental Protection Agency did not require VW to recall vehicles, the company pulled 8.5 million cars off the market.
- Kraft Mac and Cheese: The manufacturer of one of our national comfort foods was put in the uncomfortable position of recalling 6.5 million boxes of Mac and Cheese after metal scraps were found in some boxes.
- Toyota Power Windows: This car maker's power windows had a power all their own. Toyota explained that workers had used lubricant inconsistently on some cars windows, creating the possibility that a window power switch could short circuit, overheat and cause a fire. The company recalled 6.5 million cars based on the defect.
- Kraft Heinz Turkey Bacon: It was a tough year for Kraft. Not only was there the Mac and Cheese recall, but turkey bacon took a blow, too. Kraft Heinz was forced to recall 2 million pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon after several customers reported getting sick, even when eating the bacon before the "best when used by" date.
Related Resources:
- Defective Products and Consumer Rights (FindLaw)
- Product Liability Directory (FindLaw)
- Drugs and Medical Device Recalls (FindLaw)